• Natural, medical and clinician scientists from all DZD Partner and Associate Partner sites.
• Young group leaders / PIs (including tenured group leaders) OR young clinician scientists (with a proven track record of independently conducted scientific projects).
• Maximum 10 years after graduation (PhD 2015 or later); Maximum 13 years after receiving license to practice medicine (MD 2012 or later)
• Parental leave periods are credited: Two years per child for mothers, one year for fathers (with proof extension of up to two years possible); maximum of extension 6 years; children must be 12 years or younger.
• Budget independent or entitled to dispose of her/his own budget.
• The research of the project must be a topic from the DZD research program.

• Fully funded postdoc position for 2 years (100,000 EUR funding per year for personnel and consumables).
• Support with the announcement of the position.
• Obligatory workshops for the group leader and the postdoc.

Projects for funding will be selected by the DZD NEXT Board and the DZD Speaker Board including the Scientific Advisory Board.

The DZD Young Talent Program specifically supports projects that address new, cutting-edge topics:

•  The project must advance knowledge in the field and should have the potential to generate the basis of future research directions. It contributes to the creation of an independent scientific identity outside of established topics within the group/institute. Encouraged are fascinating “high-risk” projects with potential for a scientific breakthrough that transform the frontier of knowledge and impact metabolism medicine. Potential impact of the proposed work on enhancing scientific understanding or promoting the translational transfer of scientific results into novel concepts for prevention, diagnosis, and therapy.

The DZD Young Talent Program only funds projects with clearly defined objectives and an elaborate and realistic working plan.

•  Proposal focus: Plausibility and excellence of the experimental set-up / working plan.

The DZD Young Talent Program advances early career scientist in translational research in the beginning of their scientific independence. A proven interdisciplinary career path is an advantage, i.e., working in an interdisciplinary group, publishing together with scientists with different areas expertise.

•  Scientific track record of applicant.

In this application form you will need to provide a detailed project proposal with a 2-year perspective. Additionally, you need to upload:

• cover letter
• confirmation by the institute director / supervisor about budget independence / entitlement to dispose of own budget.
• short CV indicating all previous training, research experience, honors, and publications. Emphasize interdisciplinary experience (work environment, publications, spin-offs, …)

• Application deadline May 15, 2026
• Decision by July 15, 2026
• Latest 3 weeks after positive decision: applicant must provide funding management with detailed description of the project.
• Latest 3 weeks after positive decision: applicant must provide the job advertisement for the postdoc position to the DZD Head Office.
• The candidate must start working on the project in January 2027.
• Latest 2 months after the end of the funding period the applicant must submit a final report, which includes a scientific and a financial part.