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With its 1,100 employees, the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ has earned an excellent reputation as an international competence center for environmental sciences.
We are part of Germany's largest scientific organization - the Helmholtz Association. Our mission: We conduct research for a balance between social development and the long-term protection of our livelihoods - for sustainable development.
Collegial head of the IT department (d/m/w) - focus on data center, networks and storage
The position
Shape the digital future of research
The UFZ operates a centrally organized IT infrastructure that has reliably supported science and administration with high-performance IT resources for many years. In order to meet the constantly growing diversity and complexity of requirements, a collegial dual leadership was established in the IT department management. Due to a retirement, one of the two management positions is now being filled.
The IT department "Scientific and Commercial Data Processing" (WKDV) comprises 60 employees who are divided into 5 teams:
* CSS (communication and standard services)
* EPS (end device service)
* HPC (high performance computing)
* KIT (Commercial IT)
* RDM-IT (IT research data management)
The diverse strategic and content-related management tasks are distributed and continuously developed within the dual leadership team by mutual agreement. Both members of the collegial management team work together on an equal footing to ensure the department is future-oriented and to shape sustainable IT at the UFZ in the long term.
Your tasks
Common collegial tasks:
* Strategic and operational management of the IT department (WKDV) in collegial dual leadership
* Continuous further development and future-proofing of the IT landscape, taking into account technological trends and dynamic framework conditions
* Expansion of IT security and data protection concepts in close coordination with all stakeholders
* Ensuring the availability, performance and security of IT services and smooth operation of the IT infrastructure
* Actively shaping strategic technology decisions to support scientific excellence
* Responsibility for IT & digitization projects incl. change management
* Networking and exchange at the Center, in the Helmholtz Association and beyond on specific occasions
Primary responsibility for management tasks:
* Overall technical responsibility for network architectures, storage systems and data center operations
* Planning, control and further development of the central IT infrastructure
* Initiation and management of necessary infrastructure projects (e.g. modernization of the data center, expansion of high-availability and backup solutions)
* Managing, motivating and developing the assigned teams and employees, including budget and resource planning
Following a successful interview, we offer you the opportunity to get to know our site during an on-site visit and to gain a first impression of your future colleagues as well as the systems used and the existing infrastructure at the UFZ during a team get-to-know-you day.
We offer
* The opportunity to make an important contribution to shaping a diverse and sustainable future together
* An exciting, secure job with varied tasks
* A comprehensive and high-quality program for qualification and further training
* Flexible working hours and a wide range of options for balancing care responsibilities and work through our family office
* Competent support and advice for international colleagues arriving at the UFZ from the 'International Office'
* Special annual payment, capital-forming benefits and subsidized Germany job ticket
* A workplace in a vibrant region with a high quality of life and social and cultural diversity
Your profile
* Completed Bachelor's or Master's degree in a field of study with a focus on information technology
* Many years of professional experience in the field of applied computer science
* In particular, sound knowledge of IT infrastructure, networks, server, storage and cloud systems as well as IT security
* Several years of experience in managing employees in the IT environment
* Very good communication skills
* Very good knowledge of German and English
* Intrinsic motivation for new technologies as well as the continuous development of existing and the introduction of innovative IT services
* Project management skills as well as an analytical, structured and solution-oriented way of working
* High service orientation towards internal and external stakeholders and ability to work in a team
* Entrepreneurial and strategic mindset, organizational strength, process thinking
* Decisiveness and a sense of responsibility
* The desire to actively shape and drive change
would be desirable
* Experience in budget planning and resource management
* Strong interface and cooperation skills with other departments
We encourage you to apply, even if you do not think you fully meet all the requirements in the job advertisement.
The UFZ values diversity and is actively committed to equal opportunities for all employees regardless of their origin, religion, ideology, disability, age or sexual identity.
We welcome people who represent diverse backgrounds, identities and perspectives. We therefore particularly encourage people who are affected by structural discrimination to apply to us.
Work location:
Leipzig, or Halle, mobile working up to 50% possible
Working hours:
100 % or part-time (at least 80 %)
The position is suitable for full-time or part-time employment.
Fixed term:
unlimited / We are interested in long-term cooperation and would like to develop this perspective together with you. Applications from permanent and non-terminated employment relationships lead directly to a permanent position, all other applications are initially limited for two years with the clear option of a permanent position.
Remuneration:
according to TVöD up to pay group 15 including the social benefits of the public service
Application deadline:
14.12.2025
Contact:
admin.gf[at]ufz.de
To ensure a fair selection, please submit your application (cover letter, CV, relevant attachments) without photo, age and information on marital status via our online portal.
Further career information about the UFZ:
www.ufz.de/karriere
Helmholtz Center for
Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ
Permoserstrasse 15
04318 Leipzig
www.ufz.de/karriere