Full Professor in Molecular Biotechnology

Institute Director as Member of the Management Board of the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME).

The successful candidate will be the director of the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology at the ABBt – Aachen Biology and Biotechnology Department at RWTH Aachen University, with a focus on molecular biotechnology under consideration of bio-economy aspects. Research activities are expected to contribute to the key research area “Biobased Materials and Molecules,” focusing on synthetic biology (cell-based technology platforms), biocatalysis (covering a wide range from molecular through to chemical engineering aspects), and the development of cell lines and microbial or plant-based systems. Activities in these fields are to be combined with research in materials conversion, chemical engineering, and the use of biological resources, and should result in Integrated Bioeconomy applications.

The appointee will teach courses in molecular biotechnology and related fields within the Bachelor's and Master's degree programs offered by the Aachen Biology and Biotechnology department. Furthermore, the appointee is expected to participate in interdisciplinary collaboration, contribute to ongoing projects at RWTH Aachen University, in particular at the Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), and contribute to academic self-administration.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME) conducts research in the applied life sciences, from the molecular level through to entire ecosystems. Fields of application include all areas of the life sciences addressed with the help of plant, insect, industrial, and pharmaceutical biotechnology. The interdisciplinary organization, its state-of-the-art labs, facilities, and equipment, including greenhouses, GMP facilities, complex facilities for environmental simulations and a center for clinical studies enable the institute to provide a wide range of research and development services alongside complex value chains. Currently, the institute, which is a member of the Fraunhofer Group for Life Sciences, has about 600 staff at six national and two international locations.