The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, is internationally recognised for its infectious diseases research with the main focus on malaria and helminth infections. The ITM is also the Centre of Excellence for Tropical Medicine for the state of Baden-Württemberg and it maintains a long-standing collaboration with the Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Gabon. The ITM/CERMEL partnership is at the forefront of the clinical development of novel vaccine and antimalarial interventions in Germany and Africa. The ITM is also a member of the German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF) and nourishes many collaborative links with national and international institutions across the range of infectious diseases biology, immunology and control. The University of Tübingen, together with the University of Ghana and the University of Glasgow have initiated a collaboration as Co-Lead institutions in the Cluster of Research Excellence (CoRE) Advanced Infectious Diseases (AID) Research & Training (more information) from African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, launched to address scientific and societal challenges framed by the AU-EU Innovation Agenda. Through strong collaborations between several African and European institutions, CoRE AID will tackle the next frontiers in infectious disease (ID) research in an equitable partnership. Their overarching goal is to understand the fundamental biology of pathogens and of infections, and to inform drug and intervention discovery and development.

Job Summary:

• The candidate will take a leading role in the coordination of CoRE AID
• She/he will, in tandem with a project coordinator at the University of Glasgow, and soon with a scientific officer at the University of Bern, be involved in coordinating CoRE AID activities, as well as a large collaborative Ph.D. program to be established in partnership with several African and European partner institutions for African candidates
• The candidate will be supported and guided by the cluster’s Co-Lead at the University of Tübingen, to whom they will also report directly, besides working in close contact with the other Co-Lead partners from the Universities of Ghana and Glasgow
• She/he will receive additional assistance from a large project management team at ITM and the relevant administrative departments at the University of Tübingen. There is also a large number of senior scientists with long track records in infectious diseases and/or cooperating with African partner institutions available for advice and mentorship 
• Be the primary contact for CoRE AID project implementation, responsible for project specific communication, planning, financial reporting and documentation. More specifically, the PM will prepare status reports and keep CoRE Co-Leads and partners, ITM management, ARUA and The Guild stakeholders informed of project status and issues 
• Assisting with the acquisition of funding and then, coordination for a larger, planned Ph.D. program in CoRE AID 
• Coordinate annual budgets and spending with the project partners, as well as report on project’s costs
• Organise regular project meetings and expert webinars
• Contribute to the CoRE’s virtual identity on selected social media 
• Nonetheless, the candidate is expected to develop their own initiatives to grow the CoRE AID network as a platform and work independently

Your tasks:

• M.Sc. degree in biological sciences is required, Ph.D preferred 
• Previous experience in the field of infectious diseases research (e.g., parasitology, microbiology, virology, immunology, genetics, epidemiology) is desirable 
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills
• Self-motivated and able to work independently using strong organizational, project and time management skills
• Prior experience in organising and coordinating projects is an advantage 
• Strong written and oral communication skills, high flexibility, stress-resilience and the willingness to travel
• Experience in facilitating and building consensus in an interdisciplinary and multinational team environment 
• Able to build successful working relationships with a wide variety of collaborators 
• Intercultural sensitivity is a must
• Experience in third-party funding management is desirable 
• Experience in working with African partner institutions will be an advantage
•  Proficiency in English, German and/or French is an advantage

We offer:

• Subsidy for public transport tickets
• Occupational pension
• 30 days vacation
• Flexible working hours

We offer remuneration in accordance with TV-L (collective wage agreement for the Public Service of the German Federal States), severely handicapped persons with equal qualifications are given preferential consideration. Interview expenses are not covered. Please note the applicable vaccination regulations.