Head of Astronomical Data Center (m/f/x)

With the German Center for Astrophysics (DZA), a new research center is being established in Lusatia with funds from the Coal Regions Structural Strengthening Act (StStG). The aim is to strengthen regions in Saxony affected by the lignite phase-out. In Lusatia, the DZA will create new opportunities for strategic leadership roles in German astrophysics as a globally visible symbol of innovation with science and research. In this way, we also want to have a lasting impact on the transformation of Lusatia.

The construction phase of the DZA is being jointly organized by the Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY and the TUD Dresden University of Technology. In 2025, the start-up phase for the DZA will end and the DZA will be founded as an independent institution.

This is a unique opportunity to participate in the establishment of a major research center in Lusatia and to help shape its future structures and those of the region.

For TUD and DZA diversity is an essential feature and a quality criterion of an excellent university. Accordingly, we welcome all applicants who would like to commit themselves, their achievements and their productivity to the success of the whole institution.

The DZA offers, as part of the development, one position located in Görlitz as

Head of Astronomical Data Center (m/f/x) (subject to personal qualification, employees are remunerated according to salary group E 15 TV-L)

starting as soon as possible. The position is initially limited until December 31, 2025 (time limitation pursuant to TzBfG) with the option of extension/permanence at the DZA after its foundation. Following the institutional establishment, it is planned to transfer the employment contracts to the "Tarifvertrag Bund" of the public sector (TVöD Bund). Balancing family and career is an important issue. The position is generally suitable for candidates seeking part-time employment. Please indicate the request in your application.

Tasks: Establishment and management of a modern astronomical data center at the DZA. Data from all over the world from cooperation projects SKA, MeerKAT, DSA-2000, Gaia or ZTF will be made accessible to the astronomical community and the public via suitable portals and interfaces and thus become part of the national research data infrastructure NFDI. At the DZA, the data systems of large projects are integrated into a standardized data storage and access system. The developments required for this are embedded in international efforts to enable intelligent data services in astrophysics, for example for multi-messenger astrophysics. The resulting technology for archives of heterogeneous data sets, which supports user-defined computing operations for combined data analysis, also has great potential for social applications.

• independent handling of challenging, inter- and transdisciplinary research projects in areas such as astrophysics, data science, machine learning and high-performance computing
• scientific leadership and project management of a research group (at least 5 research associates), including project controlling, establishment and scientific guidance of new research groups for the development of innovative research directions
• carrying out risk analyses, progress reviews and thematic development of research
• acquisition and implementation of third-party funded projects under own responsibility
• professional supervision and support of doctoral students
• observing and evaluating current developments in the interdisciplinary research context and expanding the institute's internal and external networking in the academic and economic environment
• analysis of current specialist literature with a focus on application-specific implementation of new research topics, generation and scientific evaluation of new findings with regard to their practical relevance

Requirements:

• scientific university degree (Master's/University Diploma) in the field of physics and PhD degree
• outstanding specialized knowledge in the field of astrophysical surveys and data reduction
• comprehensive expertise in the fields of astrophysics, data science and instrument development
• knowledge and experience in leading research groups, staff management and science management
• experience in the acquisition and administration of third-party funding, project management and controlling

We offer:

• the chance to contribute to the development of the largest research center for astrophysics in Germany
• the opportunity to play an active role in shaping structural change in Upper Lusatia
• the opportunity to establish the personnel requirements to support the discovery of groundbreaking research results and to contribute to the realization of research projects
• a dynamic, committed, international and interdisciplinary environment with renowned experts from science and industry
• remuneration according to TV-L, as well as conditions and social benefits of the public sector
• granting of a collectively agreed annual special payment
• compatibility of family and career
• The possibility of permanent employment after the start-up phase.

TUD and DZA strive to employ more women in academia and research. We, therefore, expressly encourage women to apply. The University is a certified family-friendly university. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities. If multiple candidates prove to be equally qualified, those with disabilities or with equivalent status pursuant to the German Social Code IX (SGB IX) will receive priority for employment.

Please submit your detailed application with the usual documents by September 9, 2025 (stamped arrival date or the time stamp on the email server of TUD applies), preferably via the TUD SecureMail Portal by sending it as a single pdf file quoting the reference number "w25-134" to [email protected] or to : Deutsches Zentrum für Astrophysik (DZA), Herrn Alexander Welk, Postplatz 1, 02826 Görlitz, Germany. Please submit copies only, as your application will not be returned to you. Expenses incurred in attending interviews cannot be reimbursed.

Reference to data protection: Your data protection rights, the purpose for which your data will be processed, as well as further information about data protection is available to you on the website: .

Company

TU Dresden

Excellence – A matter close to our hearts

Excellence? Elitism? Opportunity or risk? The Excellence Programme, initially launched in 2005 by the German government has aroused passionate debate right from the start and still has the potential to polarise opinion.

TU Dresden (TUD) looks at it this way: excellence is all about performance and having the right attitude. For everyone here at TU Dresden – one of eleven Universities of Excellence in Germany since 2012 – it is also a matter very close to our hearts. Firstly because of the extra motivation and impetus generated, and secondly, because of the way we handle this role.

Our vision for the future can be summed up as follows: “Let us become one of the leading centres for research and teaching, with our own individual character and a special talent for networking, able to attract the best minds in Germany and from further afield.” After all, it is a well-known fact that excellence in research and teaching presupposes excellent conditions. Or, to put it figuratively, for excellent crop yields, you need the right soil and weather.

TU Dresden is a comprehensive university with 18 faculties and works in close collaboration with its top performers: three Clusters of Excellence, including the “Centre for Tactile Internet” (CeTI) , the Cluster “Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter” (ct.qmat) and the Cluster “Physics of Life” (PoL) . The guiding principle here is that strong individual elements become even stronger when they work together.

The vision for the future takes this principle beyond the confines of the university: with the research network DRESDEN-concept ( D resden R esearch and E ducation S ynergies for the D evelopment of E xcellence and N ovelty), TU Dresden has been creating an alliance of research and cultural facilities in the city, an “excellent playground for excellent people”. This bond is unique in Germany and has evolved over many years. It is not necessary to create anything new here, as it is simply a matter of building further storeys on top of an already solid structure. The measures envisaged as part of the DRESDEN-concept contribute to the overall development of TU Dresden and form an integral part of the university strategy.

Excellence is understood and practised in Dresden as an opportunity for the entire university, and in this spirit, TU Dresden takes those measures that lead to excellence – by the university, for the university – in cooperation with colleagues here and all over the world. But at the same time neither elitist nor exclusive. TUD’s excellence comes from the heart – from and for our about 32,400 students, 600 professors and about 8,400 members of staff. In this way, excellence becomes the basis, the objective, the approach and the driving force. And that’s why being a top performer can also be so rewarding and enjoyable.

Campus Image © Nils Eisfeld

Company info

Location

Dresden
01069 Dresden
DE