Let's fight pathogens together!

Head of IT Specialist Group Admin-IT (m/f/d)

Reference number: 594/2026
Start date: As soon as possible, permanent position
Working hours: 39 hours per week
Remuneration: E 12 TVöD Bund
Place of work: Braunschweig
Probationary period: 6 months
Application deadline: March 8, 2026

The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) is looking for a

Head of IT Specialist Group Admin-IT (m/f/d)

The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, based in Braunschweig, is a member of the Helmholtz Association and conducts cutting-edge research in the field of infectious diseases. Our scientists develop innovative methods and strategies to combat infectious diseases more quickly and effectively. Our common goal is to develop novel approaches to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases. Our research focuses on bacterial and viral pathogens, their interaction with the human immune system, and new effective drugs and vaccines.

With a wide range of IT services and projects, the Data Center department, headed by Mr. Rafael Ignaczak, supports both science and administration, thus making a fundamental contribution to the success of infection research at the HZI. In a complex IT environment spanning multiple locations, a large team faces daily challenges, which are mastered through competence and team spirit in a friendly environment.

These tasks await you:

• You will manage the Admin-IT specialist group (4 people) in terms of technical and disciplinary matters.
• You will be the central interface in the Data Center for the operational implementation of administrative digitization projects.
• You will be responsible for the operation and further development of the entire SAP infrastructure (SAP S4HANA, SuccessFactors), including related applications.
• You will coordinate the operation of various cloud applications.
• You will coordinate the smooth operation of the video conferencing systems on campus.
• You will coordinate service providers in a multi-provider environment.
• You will plan the budget for your specialist group, assist in the preparation of the overall budget, and ensure uniform contract management in the data center.
• You will coordinate the development of an ITIL-compliant CMDB.
• You prepare tender documents (service descriptions, EVB-IT contracts, etc.) for the entire data center and coordinate these with the purchasing department and specialist groups. You develop concepts and templates for data center operating manuals (e.g., authorization concepts) and ensure the consistent quality and standardization of all internal documents.
• You are responsible for your specialist group's projects
• You monitor all IT projects in the data center across all specialist groups and locations, ensure compliance with standards, and prepare monthly status reports for department management
• You analyze, implement, optimize, and document standardized processes in the data center and monitor the efficient design of IT procurement.
• You coordinate support for SAP and are the contact person for specialist departments and key users.
• You participate in relevant internal and external working groups.

Your qualifications and skills:

• Successfully completed relevant degree (e.g., business informatics, computer science) and several years of relevant experience in SAP and IT infrastructures
• Proven experience in managing employees
• Experience in at least one SAP module (FI, CO, MM, HCM) and in the implementation of S4 / HANA.
• Experience in the implementation of digitization measures and the description of business processes.
• In-depth experience in IT infrastructures and system administration is an advantage.
• You can communicate technical issues in a way that is appropriate and understandable to the audience.
• You are characterized by a willingness to learn, curiosity, and a high sense of responsibility.
• You take responsibility for your tasks and proceed with great care.
• You are characterized by independent work and action.
• Very good written and spoken German and English skills.

We offer you:

• An attractive and varied job in a future-oriented research institute with an international environment at the Science Campus South in Braunschweig.
• State-of-the-art infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies.
• Flexible working hours, part-time models, and working from home.
• A corporate culture that values and promotes equal opportunities.
• Extensive training and development opportunities to develop professional knowledge and personal skills.
• A family office to support family and career, as well as offers for improved childcare, e.g. during the holidays.
• Interesting additional benefits of public service.
• Possibility of an employer subsidy for the Jobticket.

Given equal professional qualifications, severely disabled persons will be given preference. To protect your rights, please clearly indicate any severe disability in your cover letter or resume.

The HZI is actively committed to equality, diversity, and integration. For this reason, the HZI pursues the goal of professional equality between women and men and expressly welcomes applications from qualified women. The position is suitable for part-time work.

How to apply:

When sending us your application documents, please confirm that you have read our privacy policy and consent to the processing of your personal data. Please use the text module in our privacy policy for this purpose. Without these declarations, we cannot consider or process your application and will delete any application documents already received immediately after the application deadline.

Please include a cover letter, resume, (work) references, certificates, and (if available) work samples or reference projects with your application documents. Please do not send a photo.

For further information, please contact Mr. Rafael Ignaczak by email at:

Please send your documents, quoting reference number 594/2026, to Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH, Human Resources Department, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany, or by email. If you are sending your application in electronic form, please combine all documents into one (1) PDF file.

We look forward to receiving your application!