Staff Units

The staff unit for Biological Safety is the central contact point for all questions and matters related to biosafety, biosecurity, research security, and the Nagoya Protocol. Biosafety includes measures to prevent the unintentional exposure of people and the environment to infectious or toxic biological agents, while research security focuses on protecting scientific findings from misuse, particularly in connection with publications or exchanges with third parties. Furthermore, we support our researchers in the legally compliant use of genetic resources and their fair benefit-sharing in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol.

The Company Medical Service plays a central role in health protection at the DKFZ. The company physicians support compliance with the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Occupational Safety Act, the Occupational Health Care Ordinance and the regulations of the German Social Accident Insurance.

The Compliance staff unit at the DKFZ ensures that all legal requirements, internal guidelines and ethical standards are adhered to. It supports employees in legal and regulatory matters and promotes a corporate culture based on integrity and transparency. The aim is to minimize risks and strengthen trust in the work of the DKFZ.

The Data Protection Officer helps to ensure that all data protection rules are observed and that a strong data protection culture is established at the DKFZ. He assists all data subjects with data protection issues. His main tasks are:

• Advice & Support – He informs and advises the responsible body (DKFZ) and employees on data protection issues.
• Review of data protection rules – He ensures that data protection laws are adhered to.
• Help with data protection risks – He provides support in assessing risks to personal data.
• Contact with the data protection authority – He works with the authority and is the point of contact for data protection issues.

The DKFZ Cancer Research Academy (CRA) unites our academic training programs and promotes young scientists at the national and international level. 

In an international, diverse and interdisciplinary environment, masters and PhD students, postdocs, clinician scientists and junior group leaders are trained and supported in cutting-edge cancer research.

To help them achieve scientific independence, the Academy offers its fellows customized and career-specific training and continuing education opportunities, including a strong network including national and international partners and DKFZ alumni.

The Equal Opportunities Officer at the DKFZ is committed to equal opportunities for employees and promotes a work culture that values diversity and equity. She advises and supports in matters of equity, initiates measures to promote women and ensures that equity aspects are taken into account in decision-making processes. Th goal is to create equal development opportunities for all genders and to prevent discrimination.

The Helmholtz Programs and Monitoring staff unit at the DKFZ supports the planning, implementation and evaluation of the cancer research program within the framework of the Helmholtz Association's program-oriented funding and coordinates reporting. As an interface to the Helmholtz Association and its committees, it supports, among other things, the DKFZ's participation in strategic application procedures. In addition, it coordinates evaluation procedures at the DKFZ to ensure that research goals are met.

The Information Security Office at the DKFZ is responsible for protecting confidential information and the center's IT infrastructure. It develops and maintains information security guidelines, identifies potential threats and vulnerabilities, and initiates appropriate risk management measures. In addition, she advises employees on the secure handling of information and IT systems in order to promote consistent security awareness and ensure information security at all levels.

The DKFZ's Internal Audit department supports the Board of Directors in its monitoring function and examines the efficiency, appropriateness, regularity and effectiveness of internal control, risk and controlling systems. It also performs business consulting tasks for the Board of Directors and the DKFZ's organizational units. The aim here is to increase efficiency and at the same time reduce risk within the company and to identify alternative courses of action. The Head of Internal Audit also acts as a contact person for corruption prevention and advises on measures to prevent corruption.

The mission of the Cancer Prevention Unit is to make a tangible contribution to reducing avoidable cancer risk factors. Its core area of work is the communication of scientific findings on cancer risk factors - especially smoking - and their prevention to politicians, the media, the public and the healthcare system. The focus is particularly on the cancer risk factors of smoking and alcohol consumption as well as the promotion of HPV vaccination. The Cancer Prevention Unit is also active in obesity prevention and the promotion of physical activity. The overarching goal is to improve health policy and societal conditions to make it easier for people to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Private Research Funding raises donations and bequests for the DKFZ. The goal is to motivate people to donate to cancer research or support the DKFZ through their will. Additional financial resources enable more targeted and innovative research, and help bring research results to patients more quickly. The staff of the office supports donors (individuals, companies, foundations, etc.) in all matters related to bequests and donations and provides information about the impact of the donations.

The Quality Management of Clinical and Clinical-Related Research supports the entire development process of medical devices (hardware and software), in-vitro diagnostic medical devices (IvD) and medicinal products by setting up and continuously developing risk-based QM systems in accordance with the applicable standards (DIN EN ISO 13485/14971/15189/14155/20916, DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025, DIN IEC 62304, GMP, GCP, GCLP). 

As the Sponsor Quality Assurance Unit, we carry out the central Sponsor Oversight of clinical trials under the formal sponsorship of DKFZ in cooperation with the Clinical Trial Office (CTO).

As Representatives for medical device safety, we are the contactpoint  for authorities, manufacturers and distributors for reports on the risks of medical devices and coordinate the internal processes for reporting and cooperation obligations of users and operators and for the implementation of safety corrective and other measures.

The Staff Unit for Radiation Protection and Dosimetry works closely with DKFZ research and infrastructure groups to ensure employee and study participant safety during research, examinations and treatments that use ionizing radiation. To this end, it implements the legal requirements for radiation protection under German law in different areas of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). Among other things, the Staff Unit  participates in the (re)planning of laboratories, workflows and protective measures, obtains licenses in accordance with the German Radiation Protection Act (known under the German acronym StrlSchG) and complies with notification requirements.

The Safety department provides advice and support in the implementation of the extended requirements of occupational health and safety and fire protection in day-to-day operations as well as in the planning and construction of new buildings. It focuses on topics such as laboratory safety, the handling of hazardous substances, workplace legislation and workplace design, including ergonomics, the selection and use of personal protective equipment and the operation of scientific machinery and equipment. Through the intensive analysis of workplace accidents potential hazards are quickly identified and protective measures initiated.

The Strategic Communications and Public Relations staff unit informs the internal and external public about the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). The spectrum of topics ranges from the results of cancer research to insights into the work of the DKFZ and recommendations for a healthy lifestyle. We explain science for everyone – for interested people with and without specialist knowledge.

We use various channels and formats – such as press releases, print publications such as the magazine einblick, events and social media platforms.

The DKFZ Scientific Strategy Office supports the Management Board in developing and implementing the center's strategic goals. It initiates and manages strategic and international collaborations while fostering engagement with key external stakeholders. By identifying internal ideas and external trends, it efficiently launches strategic initiatives and integrates them into the DKFZ’s long-term strategy. In doing so, the office plays a crucial role in advancing cutting-edge research and strengthening the center's international competitiveness.