Executive Assistant (mfd)

The Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) in Dresden Germany is an institute of the renowned Max Planck Society conducting ground‑breaking biomedical research at the cutting edge of science. The institute has an international staff of about 500 employees from more than 50 nations. Centered around the scientific question of how cells form tissues, the research program at MPI-CBG brings together biologists, chemists, theoretical physicists and computer scientists to create a vibrant interdisciplinary working environment. The institute has recently expanded its research vision to encompass stem cell‑derived models, synthetic tissue systems and organoid models. The institute is well known for its flat organizational structure, shared resources, equal opportunities and support for families.

The successful candidate will provide comprehensive assistance to a home base including a Scientific Director and associated Research Group Leaders. Fulfilling an important role at the intersection between scientists and administration, you will provide a professional, efficient and courteous first point of contact, often requiring a high level of creativity and tact. The job will benefit from someone with a service‑oriented mentality, attention to detail and excellent communication skills.

Main Responsibilities

Director Support

• Organize and plan administrative logistics for the director including scheduling, communication events and travel
• Provide proactive oversight and support for the director
• Prioritize messages for action, draft and proofread responses in English and German while preserving confidentiality
• Facilitate interactions and communication in German
• Prepare agendas, take high‑quality minutes and follow up for the director

Group & Institute Support

• Organize administrative tasks for the director’s home base (2–3 additional group leaders), focusing on scheduling, communication events and travel
• Support institute committees: prepare agendas and minutes, follow‑up tasks
• Coordinate guest researcher visits and events (e.g. meetings, seminars, summer schools, alumni events)
• Assist with personnel matters (supporting initial contract requests and extensions, onboarding and off‑boarding)
• Engage with fellow executive assistants regarding work matters, quality improvement and continued personal development
• Organize office supplies, filing systems and other equipment
• Arrange repairs or replacements together with the responsible departments

Your Profile

• Professional training/education as an executive assistant, events manager, foreign‑language assistant or similar
• Excellent written and spoken English and German (the latter at B2 level or higher)
• Proactive mindset with very strong time‑management skills and a structured work style
• Ability to multitask and prioritize a diverse and changing workload
• Intercultural competence and organizational talent
• Good software skills especially Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and in‑house databases

Desirable qualities

• Experience working in a comparable environment
• Experience in developing internal processes and filing systems
• Excellent interpersonal skills and customer‑service orientation
• Creativity, optimism and motivation in problem‑solving

What we offer

• Initial contract is for 2 years with the expectation of prolongation contingent on the agreement of both parties
• Remuneration based on qualifications, activities and experience in accordance with TVöD Bund up to EG8
• A varied, interesting and crucial role in a modern scientific and international environment
• Opportunities for regular professional growth and exchange, individual training and personal development
• Social benefits of the public service (company pension scheme (VBL), annual special payment, subsidy for VVO, job ticket, group accident insurance)
• Active measures to promote company health management and work‑life balance
• Possibility for home office and mobile work upon agreement

Initial questions about the position can be addressed to Brian von Rueden, Head of Human Resources via the contact information below.

Please submit your complete application by via our online application system stating 2025-ExecutiveAssistant-Homebase-6000 via : Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics.

Pfotenhauerstr. 108

01307 Dresden Germany

Equal Opportunity Statement

• The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. We welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age and other components of identity.
• The Max Planck Society specifically aims to increase the proportion of women in the areas in which they are underrepresented. We therefore explicitly invite women to apply.
• The Max Planck Society is further committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals.
• The Max Planck Society supports the compatibility of family and career and is certified according to the berufundfamilie (job and family) audit.
• When you submit a job application to MPI‑CBG you are transmitting personal data. Please refer to our privacy notice for information on how we collect and process personal data in accordance with Art. 13 of the Datenschutz‑Grundverordnung. By submitting your application you confirm that you have taken note of the information in our privacy notice.