Postdoc Biochemistry, Bioinformatics

The INM-Leibniz Institute for New Materials is an internationally leading center for interdisciplinary research on materials, and their exploitation in materials-based solutions for a sustainable world with increasing digitalization and medical needs. Our research integrates materials chemistry, biological processes, physical analysis, and process engineering. We aim for leadership in the fields of opto-interactive, electro-integrative and bio-intelligent material systems. In these areas, we actively seize opportunities to transfer our scientific results into materials-driven innovation.
INM’s research group Immuno-Materials, headed by Dr. Oskar Staufer investigates how microscale cell-like materials can be formed such that they combine multiple life-like functionalities and can be integrated into living systems. For this we apply organoid cultures, bottom-up synthetic biology and artificial tissues to reconstitute immunoregulatory processes for therapeutic applications. In our new project Synthetic Lymphatic Tissues we invite applications for aPostdoctoral Researcher (F/M/D)on development of synthetic lymph nodes as drug screening platformspositions starting on November 1st 2024 (with some flexibility).

Your tasks

• Design and characterize synthetic cell tissues with immunological properties.
• Perform bulk and single cell RNA sequencing experiments and analysis.
• Investigate immunoregulatory interactions between synthetic cells, cancer cells and immune cells.
• Screening of natural product drug libraries for immuno-regulatory compounds.

Your profile

• PhD degree in biophysics, bioinformatics, biochemistry, or a related field.
• Experience in RNA-seq analysis and application of machine learning approaches.
• Previous experience with cell culture, advanced light microscopy imaging or electron microscopy is beneficial.
• Very good communication and writing skills in English. German language skills are beneficial but no required.

You will work…

• on scientifically interesting and technically relevant challenges in a motivated research group leading the field of synthetic cell applications in immunology,
• in an institute that supports you to perform high-quality research and to present and publish your research results,
• in an interdisciplinary and international institute with excellent infrastructure,
• at the heart of the Greater Region (Germany, France, Luxemburg, Belgium),
• a comprehensive benefits package (flexible working hours, mobile working, company pension scheme) with a 2-year contract based on TV-L E13 renumeration with the possibility to increase based on transparent performance criteria.

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