Managing Director (Administrative Director)

About the job

Managing Director (Administrative Director)

Start of employment

01.01.2027 or by arrangement

Employment relationship

permanent

Institute / Place of work

Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR)

About the Department

The Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR) is the central platform for translational biomedical research at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Bern. Over 100 research groups use the infrastructure, core facilities and scientific services of the department, which closely links basic research, clinical research and technological innovation.

The DBMR is currently undergoing a phase of strategic development and organisational transformation with the aim of sustainably strengthening its international visibility, structural efficiency and scientific profiling.

The strategic management of the DBMR is carried out by a board of directors consisting of scientific programme leaders, with the scientific direction determined on a rotational basis. To implement the organisational development and strengthen institutional governance capabilities, an Administrative Director is appointed as an integral member of the board and assumes a key role in the operational management of the department's central services.

The position combines overall operational responsibility with strategic co-design and is aimed at an experienced leader with strong management and transformation skills.

Your tasks

Strategic management and organisational development

• Implementation of the structural and strategic development of the DBMR
• Further development of governance, decision-making and organisational structures
• Advising the scientific management on strategic issues

• Responsibility for finance, personnel, infrastructure, safety and research platforms
• Management of budget planning, controlling and resource allocation
• Ensuring efficient administrative and operational processes in research operations
• Leadership and development of administrative teams

• Coordination between research programmes, core facilities, faculty, university and clinical partners
• Moderation of complex decision-making processes in a matrix organisation
• Representation of the department in university and external committees
• Promotion of a transparent communication and leadership culture

• Completed doctorate (PhD), preferably in biomedical, natural sciences or related fields

• Several years of leadership experience in a complex organisation, ideally in an academic or research-related environment
• Proven experience in organisational development, change management and strategic implementation
• Sound competence in budget planning, financial management and personnel leadership
• Experience with third-party funding systems, research infrastructures or scientific platforms is an advantage
• Strong analytical and strategic skills as well as an integrative leadership style
• Very good German and English skills

We offer

• A key position with great scope for design in an internationally networked research environment
• Direct involvement in the operational and strategic development of a large university research department
• Collaboration with leading researchers from medicine, natural sciences and clinical research
• An innovative, interdisciplinary and dynamic working environment

Your benefits

Good research infrastructures and international network

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Team-oriented work

Meaningful work and fair remuneration

Working at UniBE

The University of Bern not only offers exciting tasks but also an environment that actively promotes development, diversity and equal opportunities. Discover what distinguishes us as an employer and how you can progress with us.

Application and contact

The University of Bern aims to increase the proportion of women in academic leadership positions and therefore especially encourages interested female candidates to apply. Job sharing applications are possible; interested parties are asked to submit a corresponding concept.
www.vereinbarkeit.unibe.ch/arbeitszeitmodelle/jobsharing

Further information regarding required documents can be found at www.medizin.unibe.ch/forschung/akademische_laufbahn/professur

Applications must be submitted exclusively electronically to the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Bern by 15.10.2026 via this link.

Questions about the position?

Prof. Dr Nadia Mercader
nadia.mercader@unibe.ch

Questions about the application?

Further information is available from the Chair of the Selection Committee, Prof. Dr Nadia Mercader, Head of Department of Developmental Biology and Regeneration, Institute of Anatomy and Acting Dean, Faculty of Medicine (Email: nadia.mercader@unibe.ch).