Your Postdoc at the Institute
The Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (MPI-BI) is an international, interdisciplinary research environment where postdocs play a vital role in advancing scientific discovery. We aim to recruit highly qualified scientists in postdoctoral positions to work across a wide range of research topics at our two campuses in Martinsried and Seewiesen, just outside of Munich.
Our postdoc community is diverse, engaged and supported by a group of internal representatives who help to foster communication within our Institute as well as with other Institutes across Germany.
We are committed to providing every postdoc at MPI-BI with the best experience possible by supporting scientific development, as well as personal wellbeing and social activities. We very much welcome your ideas on how we can make the postdoc experience at MPI-BI even better – please email the postdoc representatives if you want to give feedback or get involved.
If you are interested in joining the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (MPI-BI) as a postdoc, we encourage you to contact group leaders and department heads directly to explore possible opportunities in particular areas of study. You can find an overview of all departments and research groups here.
While there is no central webpage for open postdoc positions, many groups list opportunities on their own webpages. Even when no positions are advertised, you are welcome and encouraged to reach out and express your interest.
You may also consider applying for a postdoctoral fellowship to be carried out within a lab at the MPI-BI – a non-exhaustive list of postdoctoral fellowships is provided in the section below. Please discuss any potential application for fellowships or funded positions with your prospective group leader/department head beforehand.
Postdocs at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (MPI-BI) can be employed through a paid contract as an MPI-BI employee or through external funding initiatives such as a fellowship.
Paid contract
The Max Planck Society is publicly funded and all its scientific staff are employed under the collective wage agreement for the public sector (Tarifvertrag für den Öffentlichen Dienst or TVöD Bund).
Postdocs are generally classified under the pay grade E13 (Entgeltgruppe 13), which includes six pay levels (Stufen 1-6) based on relevant professional experience. Typically, postdocs with a PhD begin at level Stufe 3, although this may be adjusted on an individual basis. To determine the appropriate level, please submit documentation such as copies of previous work contracts, academic degree certificates, and references. Our Human Resources Department and your group leader or department head will support you through this process. Once a category and level are assigned, employees will stay in that level for a given number of years before being automatically upgraded to the next level.
You can find up-to-date gross monthly salary information for each level here (in German). Please note that your net income will depend on additional factors such as marital status, number of dependents, and other factors.
Most postdocs at MPI-BI receive a two-year temporary fixed-term (Befristet) contract, which may be extended upon mutual agreement. These positions are described as “temporary” not to diminish the importance of the role but rather as an indication of postdoctoral positions typically being non-permanent positions, in contrast to long-term employment contracts.
The first contract typically includes a six-weeks probationary period, during which either party can terminate the contract without reason. Please note that under the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (Wissenschaftzeitvertragsgesetz or WissZeitVG) there is a limit for the total duration of employment under such temporary contracts. The WissZeitVG is currently under reform, so for more information on the act and how employment times count towards the limit, visit this website (in German).
Fellowships
MPI-BI supports and encourages applications to a range of postdoctoral fellowships, which are funded by a range of prestigious external organizations. Please note that not all fellowships are compatible with the standard employment contracts at the Institute. In some cases researchers may need to independently arrange health insurance, unemployment insurance and other social security requirements. Please consult with our Human Resources Department for further advice on eligibility and implications.
- European Molecular Biology Organization Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Marie Skodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship (MSCA-IF)
- Humboldt Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers
- Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) Postdoctoral Fellowships
- DFG (German Research Foundation) Research Grant
At the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (MPI-BI), postdocs benefit from a vibrant scientific community that actively supports career development, networking, and mentorship from group leaders at the Institute.
Postdocs at MPI-BI are provided with regular opportunities to take part in free workshops participate in workshops covering everything from coding skills to project management.
To help postdocs prepare for their next career stages, be it in academia or industry, MPI-BI also organizes tailored events, with more information available here. These events take place on both our Martinsried and Seewiesen campuses, with a shuttle service provided between the two locations.
There is also a dedicated mentorship program at MPI-BI that connects postdocs with group leaders at the Institute in an informal setting. These discussions can offer invaluable insights into career paths, scientific projects, and other practical advice.
The Institute’s seminars and lecture series are another great platform to meet colleagues from other groups at the Institute and meet experts from interdisciplinary research fields. In addition, the Emerging Scientist Series invites outstanding external postdocs to present their research, providing opportunities for cross-institutional networking.
To enable postdocs and other researchers from abroad to get settled and focused on science as quickly as possible, the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (MPI-BI) has a dedicated International Office (IO) that supports newcomers with a smooth transition to life in Germany and at the Institute.
The IO offers advice and support relating to all aspects relating to moving here, including visas, residence permits, housing, and much more, as well as connecting you with essential services and local contacts.
Finding an apartment in Munich can be time-consuming and expensive and the IO can assist you in securing long-term accommodation and provides listings of current apartment offers, including those that are exclusively for MPI-BI employees. To ease the process of finding accommodation, temporary guestrooms are available to rent on both campuses that can host you for your first couple of months with us.
MPI-BI and the Max Planck Society offer a range of resources to support postdocs with family life. Both our campuses in Martinsried and Seewiesen feature parent-child rooms equipped with toys and workspaces to accommodate flexible working arrangements onsite. The Martinsried site also hosts two childcare facilities, and there are numerous other avenues of support available to you and your family, whether you are working on site or travelling to a conference. Check out this webpage for further details.
Postdocs and other researchers working at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (MPI-BI) enjoy numerous benefits designed to support professional and personal wellbeing. For example, there is an institute pension scheme (VBL), a subsidised public transport job ticket (MVV, Munich transit authority), and workplace accident insurance.
There is also dedicated on-campus health and sporting activities, including sports clubs, bouldering wall and tennis courts. MPI-BI has also partnered with a company fitness network (as of 2023, this is called Wellpass), which provides access to more than 250 sports and wellbeing facilities in Munich (as well as more than 6,500 partners all over Germany) with just one membership.
Beyond the Institute, Munich also offers a very high quality of life , rich in cultural attractions and close to nature, with lakes, forests and the Bavarian Alps all just a short journey away.
The Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (MPI-BI) is committed to fostering a safe, open, non-discriminatory, respectful and supportive working environment. Our gender equality plan outlines specific goals and actions to embed gender equality and equity thinking within the institute, as detailed here.
The core values of the MPI-BI and the Max Planck Society are also detailed in our Code of Conduct.
In the event of conflict or concerns, MPI-BI offers confidential support services. These include clearly defined channels for reporting issues such as scientific misconduct, sexism, discrimination, and other conflicts or misconducts. We also offer support for mental health challenges, such as counselling.
Services are free of charge and available in German, English or other languages if needed – and by in-person meeting, phone, or video call. They are provided either by the Institute or external partners.
