The University of Cologne is one of the oldest and largest universities in Germany. With its six Faculties covering a broad spectrum of disciplines and its internationally outstanding research profile areas, it enjoys an excellent reputation for its academic achievements and high standards of undergraduate and graduate education.
The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is one of Europe’s largest cancer research centers. “Research for a life without cancer” is the mission of our world-class scientists and all our team members.
Within the framework of a joint appointment for the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) – NCT site West – the Medical Faculty of the University of Cologne and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) are seeking as soon as possible a University Professor (unlimited private-law employment relationship) for “Clinical Computational Cancer Biology” (joint appointment according to the “Jülicher Modell”). The chair will be newly established at the NCT West, Campus Cologne (https://nct.dkfz.de/standorte/nct-west.html). The NCT is a long-term collaboration between the DKFZ, excellent partners in university medicine, and other outstanding research partners at various locations in Germany. The primary mission of the NCT is to design, prepare and conduct innovative investigator-initiated clinical trials (IITs) that aim to significantly improve the outcome and quality of life of cancer patients.
YOUR TASKS
Within the framework of this professorship, you will lead a DKFZ research division within the NCT. You will analyze comprehensive, high-quality datasets and develop algorithms for the NCT-IIT program. In particular, machine learning methods should be developed to better understand inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity and evolution, chromosomally unstable tumors, as well as for risk stratification and early detection. Furthermore, the professorship will play a leading role in establishing suitable datasets in the NCT/SUDO databases to monitor parameters of clinical trials. Additionally, key elements for big- and deep-data analyses from clinical trials and tumor tissue samples databases will be provided. The program will be integrated into the DKFZ Data Science Faculty to enable complex genomic analyses in primary tumors and metastases and to address challenges, such as divergent responses or resistant phenotypes through adapative study design. At the Cologne campus, the professorship will be integrated into the research focus area “Tumor Biology, Infection and Immunity” and will closely collaborate with the Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO), the West German Genome Center (WGGC), the Cologne Excellence Cluster on Aging and Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), as well as the Regional Computing Center Cologne (RRZK) and the Center for Data and Simulation Sciences (CDS).
YOUR PROFILE
The future post holder should be an internationally recognized personality in the field of computational cancer biology. Excellent scientific qualifications, proved experience in the analysis of oncological data, particularly in a clinical context, excellent publication record, and a high level of competence in acquiring third-party funding are expected. Management, strong leadership as well as social skills, the ability to work in a team, to coordinate research projects and a willingness to collaborate across disciplines in national and international networks are required. Furthermore, we expect active participation in NCT matters and committees. Active contribution to the NCT School of Clinical Cancer Research is expected, as is active participation in structural assessment and evaluations of the NCT and the DKFZ.
To ensure a close integration of research and teaching, the successful candidate is expected to contribute to teaching at the Medical Faculty with a reduced teaching load of 2 semester hours per week. Formal prerequisite for the application is a habilitation or equivalent scientific qualification in research and teaching.
WE OFFER YOU
The University of Cologne and the DKFZ provide an exciting academic environment with a wide range of career development opportunities as well as support services for dual career couples and family-friendly working conditions.
The joint appointment follows the “Jülicher Modell”, where the successful candidate will be appointed as a full and life-time professor at University of Cologne and granted leave of absence to the DKFZ, which will conclude a private law employment contract with the candidate. The position at the level of a DKFZ division head is endowed with an attractive core funding package including personnel, consumables, and investments.
The position begins on from the earliest possible date Formal requirements are detailed in Section 36 of the Higher Education Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Hochschulgesetz – HG NRW).
The University of Cologne and DKFZ promote equal opportunities and diversity. Women will be considered preferentially in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz – LGG NRW). We also expressly welcome applications from all suitable candidates regardless of their gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.
Please submit your application without photo with the following documents:
- CV including information on systematic delays in the curriculum vitae*
- certificates
- research concept
- teaching concept
- concept for employee development and diversity
- overview of third-party funds raised
- the five most important texts in pdf format
via the DKFZ job portal (https://www.dkfz.de/karriere/stellen-angebote) by 04.07.2026 to Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Michael Baumann, Chairman and Scientific Director of the DKFZ, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg.
*Information on systematic delays in the curriculum vitae (e.g. number of children, recognised childcare and nursing periods, military and civilian service, part-time work, disability or chronic illness, persecution or displacement) should be included and will only be considered positively in the assessment process.
