The Center for Systems Biology Dresden (CSBD) is inviting applications for the ELBE Postdoctoral Fellows Program, a fully funded fellowship opportunity for outstanding and independent postdoctoral researchers seeking to develop their own research programmes in an international and interdisciplinary scientific environment.
The fellowship is designed for researchers who have their own research proposal and wish to collaborate with research groups at CSBD. Fellows can pursue curiosity-driven research in areas including systems biology, theoretical biophysics, computational biology and related disciplines.
The programme offers fully funded positions for two to three years, together with competitive personal financial support, research infrastructure, research expenditure and travel support. It is particularly suited to researchers seeking to strengthen their independence and prepare for future faculty-level or equivalent academic positions.
More than half of the programme’s alumni have subsequently secured independent academic positions at faculty level or equivalent, highlighting the programme’s strong focus on research independence and career development.
What the Fellowship Provides
ELBE Postdoctoral Fellows join a highly international and cross-disciplinary research environment in Dresden, Germany. Fellows receive substantial freedom to develop their own scientific questions while benefiting from mentorship, collaborative opportunities and access to advanced research infrastructure.
The programme provides:
- Fully funded research positions for two to three years.
- Competitive personal financial support.
- Funding support for research-related expenditure and travel.
- Access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure.
- Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Mentoring and support for developing independent research questions.
- Opportunities to collaborate with multiple research groups.
- Access to facilities associated with leading research institutions in Dresden.
- A strong environment for developing an independent academic career.
Fellows can collaborate closely with scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems (MPI-PKS) and Technische Universität Dresden (TU Dresden).
Research Areas and Candidate Profile
The ELBE programme is seeking outstanding external researchers who can introduce new ideas, concepts and approaches to CSBD. Fellows are expected to develop interdisciplinary research projects in collaboration with members of the Center.
The programme particularly encourages researchers who use theoretical or computational approaches to investigate biological systems while working closely with experimental research groups.
Ideal candidates may have academic backgrounds in:
- Physics.
- Computer science.
- Mathematics.
- Systems biology.
- Computational biology.
- Theoretical biophysics.
- Related quantitative disciplines.
Researchers should demonstrate a strong interest in applying their expertise within a cross-disciplinary life-science environment.
In exceptional cases, analytically minded experimental researchers working in cell biology or developmental biology may also be considered, particularly when their research bridges experimental laboratory work and a CSBD research group.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
One of the distinctive features of the ELBE fellowship is the opportunity to collaborate with more than one research group. This enables fellows to establish connections across scientific disciplines and develop research projects that combine different theoretical, computational and experimental perspectives.
Successful candidates are expected to identify their collaborative project and host research groups within three months of arriving in Dresden. An interim mentor will support the fellow during this process, after which the mentoring arrangement can be adjusted to support the selected research direction and collaborations.
Research Environment in Dresden
The fellowship is based in Dresden, Germany, an internationally recognised scientific and research centre with numerous institutions collaborating through the DRESDEN-concept network.
Fellows benefit from close proximity to leading research institutions and access to advanced scientific facilities, including services and infrastructure at MPI-CBG.
Technische Universität Dresden is also recognised as one of Germany’s Excellence Universities, contributing to an exceptional environment for scientific research, collaboration and academic development.
The combination of interdisciplinary research, advanced infrastructure and international collaboration makes Dresden an attractive location for postdoctoral researchers seeking to establish independent research careers.
Application Process
Selection for the ELBE Postdoctoral Fellows Program is based primarily on scientific merit. The programme conducts two application cycles each year, and applications must be submitted exclusively through the official online application system.
Applications submitted by email or through direct contact with individual group leaders are not accepted.
During the first stage of selection, candidates are assessed on the strength of their academic and research track record as well as the quality of their proposed research project.
The research proposal should clearly explain the work the candidate intends to undertake at CSBD and demonstrate how the proposed project can contribute to the Center’s interdisciplinary research environment.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
The programme is intended for distinguished, independent postdoctoral researchers with a strong research record and a clear vision for developing their own research programme.
Applicants should prepare a compelling research proposal that demonstrates scientific originality, feasibility and potential for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Candidates should also identify potential areas of collaboration with CSBD research groups and explain how their expertise complements the Center’s existing research environment.
Diversity and Inclusion
CSBD, MPI-CBG and MPI-PKS are committed to increasing the representation of women in scientific positions. Female applicants are particularly encouraged to apply.
The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to submit applications.
Application Deadline
The autumn 2026 ELBE Postdoctoral Fellows call is currently open, with applications due by September 11, 2026.
Applications must be submitted through the official online application system. Candidates should ensure that their research proposal and supporting materials clearly demonstrate their scientific achievements, independence and potential to contribute to CSBD’s interdisciplinary research community.
Key Fellowship Details
- Programme: ELBE Postdoctoral Fellows Program
- Institution: Center for Systems Biology Dresden
- Location: Dresden, Germany
- Duration: 2–3 years
- Funding: Fully funded
- Research Areas: Systems Biology, Theoretical Biophysics, Computational Biology and Related Fields
- Target Group: Distinguished independent postdoctoral researchers
- Application Cycles: Two per year
- Current Call: Autumn 2026
- Deadline: September 11, 2026
- Application Method: Online application system
Why Apply?
The ELBE Postdoctoral Fellows Program offers researchers an opportunity to move beyond traditional postdoctoral training and develop greater scientific independence. Fellows receive financial and infrastructure support while retaining substantial freedom to formulate research questions and establish interdisciplinary collaborations.
For researchers pursuing careers in systems biology, computational biology, theoretical biophysics and related fields, the fellowship provides access to an extensive scientific network and an environment designed to support the transition towards independent academic research.
