Veterinary Head of Laboratory Animal Facility (m/f/d) Full-time

Veterinary Head of Laboratory Animal Facility (m/f/d)

Animal Caretaker Freiburg Developmental and Evolutionary Biology & Genetics Immunobiology and Infection Biology and Medicine

Job Code: 850en

The Max Planck Institute for Immunobiology and Epigenetics is currently seeking to fill, with immediate effect, the position of Veterinary Head of the Laboratory Animal Facility (m/f/d) responsible for the breeding and care of genetically modified animals. The position is initially limited to two years with the intention of establishing a long-term working relationship. Our goal is to integrate you sustainably into our team and grow together. We place great value on fostering potential and giving you the time and opportunity to grow into the role of Head of Animal Facility and to fulfill it successfully over the long term.

The Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics (MPI-IE) in Freiburg, Germany, is an interdisciplinary research institution that conducts basic research in two key areas of modern biology: Immunobiology and Epigenetics. Central questions address the molecular basis of cell type identities, as they are regulated during immune cell differentiation, metabolic response and epigenetic chromatin adaptation.

Your Tasks

As Head of Animal Facility, you will assume both the technical and organizational management of the animal facility within a renowned research institute. You will ensure that all experimental animal procedures are scientifically sound, ethically responsible and justified, and fully compliant with legal regulations. Your duties include the technical and operational management of the animal facility with a focus on animal protection, animal welfare, and quality assurance, as well as the planning and organization of animal housing with a focus on mice and fish.

You will work closely with the resident veterinarian, the head animal caretaker, the technical staff and the animal-welfare officer, all of whom will expertly support you in this responsible role.

Your further responsibilities particularly include:

• Organizational management and administration of animal housing facilities; supervision of the animal care team in close coordination with the head animal care technician
• Providing technical support for construction projects in close coordination with the technical staff
• Implementation of the 4R principles and the ethical guidelines of the Max Planck Society in collaboration with the animal welfare officer and the veterinarian
• Introduction, optimization and enforcement of internal standards, documentation, and audits for quality assurance
• Providing expert advice to researchers and project leaders on ethical, legal, and technical aspects of experiments involving animal models
• Personnel management through mentoring, continuing education, and training of employees in the laboratory animal facility

Your Profile

• A completed university degree in veterinary medicine with a license to practice, or a completed university degree in biology or a similar field
• Advanced training as a specialist veterinarian in laboratory animal science is desirable
• Several years of professional experience in the field of laboratory animal science, specifically in the breeding and housing of genetically modified mice and, if possible, zebrafish
• Experience with various housing systems and hygiene barriers (IVC, isolators, quarantine, S1/S2 (BSL1/BSL2))
• Experience and knowledge in genetic engineering, infection control, and hygiene monitoring in accordance with FELASA guidelines
• Proven experience in staff leadership and the ability to motivate a team
• Ability to convey complex information clearly to target groups
• Strong sense of responsibility and initiative
• Fluent in German and English, both spoken and written

We Offer

Located in a region that connects Germany, France and Switzerland, our institute offers an international research environment with outstanding infrastructure facilities and a positive working atmosphere that places a high value on work-life balance.

• Payment according to TVöD up to a maximum of E15 if the collectively agreed and personal requirements are fulfilled
• Social benefits in line with public service (VBL)
• Additional performance-related remuneration component
• Professional training and development opportunities
• Good public transport connections and a subsidy for a job ticket
• Challenging work in a modern working environment
• Mobile working at a location of your choice within Germany is possible up to a maximum of 40% of the regular weekly working hours in justified cases.
• There are shops within walking distance where you can buy food
• Dual-Career-Support and Welcome-Service
• Family-friendly offers (affiliated day care center at the institute, parent-child room, breastfeeding room)

We value and promote diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, so we welcome applications from all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from severely disabled people. We would also like to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented and therefore expressly encourage women to apply.

Application Deadline

Have we sparked your interest? Please apply with your complete application documents (letter of motivation, curriculum vitae, certificates) via our online application portal by 31 August 2026.