The Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association is an international biomedical research center dedicated to understanding the molecular mechanisms of health and disease with the goal to devise new diagnostics and medicines. The MDC is a member of the Helmholtz Association, Germany's largest scientific organization, and offers an engaging research environment with cutting-edge research infrastructure. Currently, ~1250 employees and ~500 guest scientists work at the Berlin-Buch and Berlin-Mitte campuses. Our diverse workforce is a core strength that inspires creativity and innovation at the MDC.

The MDC is committed to improving human health through transformative biomedical research. Our goal is to pioneer discoveries for preventing, treating, and ultimately curing disease.

The Simon group studies the role of autophagy in fate, function and aging of immune cells,
investigating immune metabolism, inflammation and immunity. Our work spans molecular and
organismal levels, aiming to translate our findings into clinical trials. See Zhang et al, Mol Cell 2019,
Alsaleh et al, Elife 2020, Zhou et al Nat Comms 2022, Borsa et al bioRxiv 2024, Piletic et al, bioRxiv
2024 for recent examples. We reviewed this field in Clarke et al, Nat Rev Immunology in 2018.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Computational Biology to
join the Simon Group. Working closely with the MDC fellows in Data Science, you will lead the
computational data analysis and interpretation of single-cell datasets with the goal of discovering the
cell populations, their intra- and inter-population metabolic circuits, and the metabolic-signaling
networks that become dysregulated in disease, as well as metabolic targets for therapeutic
intervention.

Job Description

The research lies at the intersection of cell biology, immunology, and metabolism. The successful candidate will manage independent projects while actively collaborating with approximately 10 team members in Berlin, sharing their expertise for a common goal. Together, they will conduct pattern analyses of biological systems, leverage AI, create mathematical models, and develop dynamic simulations. We strongly value a high sense of team morale.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will possess a PhD (or be nearing completion) in a field relevant to computational single-cell genomics, complemented by formal training in cellular and molecular biology or immunology, or equivalent experience. A proven record in statistical analysis and interpretation of complex biological (e.g., genomic) datasets is required, alongside proficiency in relevant programming languages (such as Python and R), statistical machine learning libraries (like scikit-learn and PyTorch), and the development of reproducible scientific workflows (including Git and Docker).

We offer

• international working environment with communication in English and German
• interesting career opportunities and a range of opportunities for further qualification and training
• Compatibility of family and career certified by the workandfamily audit (“berufundfamilie audit”)
• Support for "New Berliners" through the MDC Welcome & Family Office
• On-campus health and fitness center

You also benefit from:

• a remuneration in accordance with the collective agreement for the federal public service (TVöD-Bund), including additional company pension schemes
• flexible working hours and childcare support
• an idyllic green campus, which is easily accessible by bicycle, public transport or car
• a secure job
• Subsidy for the job ticket as well as discounts in the campus canteen
• additional health benefits such as flu vaccination, eye test, ergonomics advice at the workplace
• the possibility of mobile working
• free use of Nextbike from the Buch S-Bahn station to the campus

Apply now