HUN-REN – the Hungarian Research Network, Hungary’s flagship national research organisation and a central pillar of its research and innovation ecosystem – is launching an open international selection process for Director General positions at selected research institutions within the Network, as part of the strategic renewal and regular leadership rotation. Download the official press release.

In the first round HUN-REN invites expressions of interest for Director General positions at HUN-REN Biological Research Centre (Szeged, HU); at HUN-REN Institute for Nuclear Research (Debrecen, HU); at HUN-REN Wigner Research Centre for Physics (Budapest, HU); and at HUN-REN Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science (Sopron, HU). The second and third rounds of calls for Director General positions at other research institutions of the Network will be launched in the first half of 2026.

These roles offer a high-profile platform to drive global scientific excellence and foster strategic international collaborations. The tenures are scheduled to begin no later than 1 January 2027.

Director Generals of the research institutions play a central role in providing strategic leadership, institutional transformation, and scientific direction, with a mandate to strengthen their institutions as internationally recognised centres of research excellence. In this role, they will shape long-term strategy and development in close collaboration with HUN-REN leadership, enhancing scientific excellence, international visibility, and institutional impact.

Key responsibilities include: defining and launching ambitious new research directions aligned with global scientific frontiers; leading organisational renewal and strengthening institutional governance and operational effectiveness; building and nurturing world-class research teams, attracting outstanding international talent, and supporting the development of early-career researchers; effective grant activity and collaboration with academic and industrial partners, expanding global scientific partnerships; developing advanced research infrastructure and research capabilities; delivering measurable scientific and innovation outcomes that contribute to discovery, technological progress and societal impact. These roles require visionary scientific leadership, the ability to drive institutional transformation, and a strong commitment to building internationally competitive research environments that attract global talent and foster scientific discovery.

These leadership roles offer an exceptional opportunity for internationally recognised scientific leaders to play a defining role at the helm of Hungary’s outstanding research institutions and to shape their future development as globally competitive centres of excellence.

HUN-REN welcomes expressions of interest from outstanding candidates from the global scientific community who are committed to advancing scientific discovery, institutional excellence and international collaboration.

The HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network is seeking eminent scientists with proven institutional leadership experience to guide the following institutes:

• Research Centre for Physics. Download the call (docx).

• Institute for Nuclear Research. Download the call (docx).

• Biological Research Centre. Download the call (docx).

• Institute for Space Sciences. Download the call (docx).

Key Information:#

• Official Call: Call for DG Positions - HUN-REN
• Application Deadline: 31 May 2026

About HUN-REN#

HUN-REN comprises 15 Hungarian national research institutions with more than 5,000 employees, including approximately 3,400 researchers, working across a wide range of scientific disciplines of STEM, LIFE and frontier sciences. (See more about the organisation below.)

HUN-REN’s mission is to deliver world-class scientific excellence that expands the frontiers of knowledge, generates scientific breakthroughs with global impact, and contributes to innovation-driven economic growth. Recognising that scientific discovery transcends geographical borders, HUN-REN is committed to advancing knowledge for the benefit of humanity while reinforcing Hungary’s role as a dynamic contributor to the global research ecosystem.

Following the adoption of the Act on HUN-REN by the Hungarian Parliament in December 2024, HUN-REN – established as the network of the former research institutions of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences – was further strengthened in 2025. This enhanced its research autonomy and institutional independence as a unified national research and innovation network operating outside the state system, while continuing to perform public research and innovation tasks and to receive state funding within a pre-planned, performance-based, and predictable framework.

Building on Hungary’s long tradition of scientific excellence and internationally recognised achievements, HUN-REN is undergoing a strategic renewal aimed at positioning the Network among the world’s leading research organisations and reinforcing Hungary’s role as a dynamic hub for internationally collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. The pillars of HUN-REN are scientific excellence measured by international standards, academic freedom, and a commitment to serving science, society, and the future of Hungary. Its scientific strategy aligns with Hungary’s research and innovation agenda, the John von Neumann Programme, which prioritises four key areas: digital transformation and artificial intelligence; health and life sciences; sustainable environment and energy; and safety and security.

HUN-REN is led by a President with an internationally recognised academic profile, while day-to-day operations are managed by a Chief Executive Officer with an internationally recognised corporate leadership background. Strategic oversight and decision-making are entrusted to a seven-member Governing Board, chaired by the President. The majority of its members are active participants in the international scientific community, while the others bring recognised experience in innovation.

The 15 research institutions of HUN-REN operate as independent legal entities under Hungarian Law, each with its own organisational structure, budget and leadership while forming an integrated network and operating within its overarching framework of HUN-REN. These institutions are led by Directors-Generals, appointed by the President of HUN-REN with the consent of the Governing Board following an international call. Directors-General play a key role in the effective operation and performance of the Network and work closely with the President and the CEO of the Network. A 25-year financial framework agreement, implemented through consecutive six-year public funding contracts between HUN-REN and the Hungarian State, ensures financial stability and supports long-term strategic planning across the Network and its institutions. The Network also provides research institutions with additional opportunities to collaborate, enabling them to leverage the benefits of mutual cooperation and enhance efficiency.

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