Trainee program in administration

Support cancer research! Our administration trainees actively contribute to the DKFZ's mission: “Research for a life without cancer”.

The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg offers a “Trainee Program in Administration” for Bachelor's and Master's graduates who would like to contribute to and develop within the administration department of a top research institution.

Over 1,000 employees support cancer research at the DKFZ in administrative areas such as human resources, finance and innovation management. An overview of the numerous potential areas of work can be found here.

The trainee program offers individuals the opportunity to gain insights into different tasks across multiple areas of responsibility in order to explore their professional and individual interests. Trainees work actively on key projects within departments order to drive them forward and accelerate their own personal development.

Further benefits and details of the customized support program can be found here.

Benefits

Application process

How to apply
Applications must be submitted online via the applicant portal. The call for applications will start in spring 2025.
Pre-selection
All applications received will be reviewed and screened. Suitable candidates will be invited to a preliminary interview.
First round interview (online)
The first interview takes place online. The focus will be on getting to know you as a candidate, and you getting to know DKFZ as an organization.
Second round interview (in person at the DKFZ)
After a successful first-round interview, you will be invited to an in person interview at the DKFZ, where you will also get to know the trainee team and meet some of the departments.
Acceptance and start date
Successful candidates will be offered a position. The start is in October of each year.

All information about the application process is available here in this video .

Insights

The current call for applications for the trainee program - starting from 01.10.2025 - can be found here.

Please note: The language in the administrative areas is primarily German. Therefore applicants need a C1 level of German.

Program management

Lukas Neidlein

“Managing the Trainee Program in Administration at the DKFZ is a particularly valuable task for me. It is a great pleasure to work with talented and committed people and to work in an environment that actively promotes diversity, excellence and innovation. It is very important to me to guide the personal and professional development of the trainees through our tailored support program and to help them expand their potential. I look forward to welcoming motivated and creative people who want to become part of this impactful team.”

Team

Perspectives

Maria Kreutz
Start of the program in 2023

“The trainee program offers the unique opportunity to experience the versatile administration of a top research institute at first hand and to play an active role in shaping it.”

Laura Wohlhüter
Start of the program in 2023

“As a trainee at the DKFZ, I have the opportunity to learn in an inspiring environment, to develop myself further and to gain diverse insights into administration. Each trainee phase opens up new perspectives that help me to develop my skills in a targeted manner and shape my individual career path. ”

Oliver Ihrig
Start of the program in 2023

“The trainee program offers me the opportunity to develop personally, to build a strong network and, above all, to get to know and advance exciting projects. I really appreciate the fact that the DKFZ encourages me, supports me in my further development and that I can make a contribution to the DKFZ's mission “Research for a life without cancer.”

Jasmin Flicker
Start of the program in 2023

“HR is my passion and the trainee program helps me to build on my strengths in this area. After working in HR services and setting up the Welcome Center, my focus is now on HR development - a perfect opportunity to round off my profile. I am grateful for the support and the opportunity to continuously improve.”

Sophie Susemichel
Start of the program in 2024

“Experiencing diversity and actively shaping the future of the DKFZ - as a trainee in administration, I gain comprehensive insights into various areas and grow with exciting challenges every day. A structured support program specifically boosts my professional and personal development.”

Carolin Winkler
Start of the program in 2024

“For me, the trainee program at the DKFZ combines meaningfulness, diversity and growth. It not only gives me the opportunity to learn in a highly innovative research environment, but also to actively contribute to the vision 'research - for a life without cancer'. I am particularly motivated by the combination of exciting projects, interdisciplinary collaboration and the targeted promotion of individual strengths.”

Manuel Stucky
Start of the program in 2024

“The trainee program at the DKFZ offers the unique opportunity to demonstrate our skills in various areas and to develop them further in a targeted manner. Not only do we gain valuable insights into the administration of a top research institution, but we also get to know our personal strengths and preferences better.”

Celina Cziepluch
Group Leader in Training and Further Education

“Our trainees work across departments and get to know the DKFZ intensively from different perspectives. This enables them to make very valuable contributions to the DKFZ in a very short space of time and advance cancer research in cross-departmental projects.”

Caroline Weschke (formerly a trainee at the DKFZ)
Head of Infrastructure and Space Management Department

“The trainee program was the perfect start to my professional life. It gave me the opportunity to quickly gain a broad insight into the various fields of work after a degree focused on theoretical content and to find out where my strengths and interests lie in practice.”

Get in touch with us

Lukas Neidlein

[+49 6221 42 2369](tel:+49 6221 42 2369)

Write a message

The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Germany’s largest biomedical research institution, is part of the Helmholtz Association and the German Centers for Health Research.

Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum

Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts
Im Neuenheimer Feld 280
69120 Heidelberg

[+49 6221 42-0](tel:+49 6221 42-0)
[+49 6221 42-2995](tel:+49 6221 42-2995)
kontakt@dkfz.de