As a System Administrator (f/m/d) at the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology (MPI-GEA), you will be part of one of the largest and most important research institutions in Germany. Its transdisciplinary research combines research areas from various disciplines in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and human sciences. Corresponding interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research projects address a wide range of current issues in the field of Geoanthropology.

At the institute, you will work with scientists from many countries, who develop innovative methods to answer complex questions in the field of Geoanthropology. A powerful and modern IT infrastructure is one of the most important prerequisites for this cutting-edge research.

To strengthen our IT team, we are looking for a System Administrator (f/m/d) part-time, for a varied, interesting, and responsible position in a friendly team.

The System Administrator (m/f/d) will be part of our IT team, providing IT support for research at the institute.

Ideally, you have completed a degree in a relevant field or have several years of professional experience in a comparable work environment. Career changers (m/f/d) are also very welcome!

Your tasks

• Administration of PCs, notebooks, and MacBooks
• Support of the user helpdesk together with other members of the IT department
• Planning and administration of video conferencing technology
• Commissioning and administration of Windows and Linux servers
• Developing solutions for software and system rollouts and patch management
• Collaborate with IT management on solutions for documenting and controlling technical IT inventory
• License and asset management with Matrix42
• Cooperation with scientists (m/f/d), helping them to fulfill their research requirements

Your profile

You know all areas of an IT helpdesk under Windows 10, Macintosh, and Ubuntu Linux. You have a good understanding of PC and notebook architecture as well as standard PC software. For installing software, you are familiar with automatic software distribution systems. You have good knowledge of Windows and Linux servers, especially in managing user accounts under Active Directory. You understand virtualization techniques and Citrix resolvers and are familiar with modern video conferencing techniques. You have basic knowledge of networking.

We are looking for a flexible, motivated, and communicative personality who fits well into our team. In addition, you should have a good command of written and spoken English, as our institute is very international.

The position is also suitable for people with German as a foreign language.

Our offer

We are offering a part-time position initially limited to two years, with 25 to 32 hours per week. Remuneration will follow the public service pay scale (TVöD) up to paygroup 11, according to the candidate’s qualifications and experience, and an additional annual special payment. We also offer attractive and family-friendly flexitime and home office arrangements and an employer's subsidy for public transport. You are entitled to 30 days (31 days starting in 2027) of vacation as well as time off on December 24 and 31, and a company pension scheme. Flexible working hours, the opportunity for further training, as well as language and health courses, round off our offer.

The Max Planck Society is committed to hiring more people with disabilities and therefore especially encourages them to apply. We are committed to promoting diversity and actively oppose prejudice based on gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, and other components of identity.

The Max Planck Society supports the compatibility of family and career and is certified according to the "berufundfamilie" audit.

Your application

Please upload your application via our application portal by April 4th, 2026:

Do you have any further questions about this job posting? Contact Dr. Thomas Baumann at it-jobs@gea.mpg.de (in German or English), and we will be happy to answer them.

We are looking forward to your application!