The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is one of Europe’s largest cancer research centers. “Research for a life without cancer" is the mission of our world-class scientists and all our team members.
The DKFZ is a place where the brightest minds pursue bold ideas and seek answers to pioneering scientific questions through collaboration, innovation, and exploration across many disciplines. We provide a dynamic environment which empowers excellence with state-of-the-art technologies, cutting edge infrastructure, and a global scientific network.
Contribute your knowledge, vision, and dedication to create a space where scientific discovery in cancer research is transformed into benefits for human health.
Together with university partners at seven renowned partner sites, we have established the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK).
The Institute of Translational Cancer Research and Experimental Cancer Therapy (headed by Prof. Dr. Dieter Saur) at the DKTK partner site Munich is offering for the next possible date
2 Postdoc Positions in Pancreatic Cancer Immunology and Computational Biology
Reference number: 2025-0274
The Saur Lab is deploying advanced in vitro and in vivo model systems, genetic perturbations and single-cell technologies with spatial readouts to study the distinct routes of tumor evolution and modes of immunosuppression we identified in our previous work in subtypes of pancreatic cancer (e.g., Nat Commun. 2023 14:2642 and 14:1201; Nature Cancer 2022 3:318-336, Cancer Discovery 2021 11:3158-3177, Nature 2018 554:62-68; Nat. Rev. Cancer 2017 17:239-253; Nat. Commun. 2016, 7:10770; Nat Med. 2014, 20:1340-7). During the past decade, our lab has generated a comprehensive resource of pancreatic primary tumors and primary cell cultures. Multiple NGS methods and biological readouts have been conducted to decipher the molecular makeup and phenotypes of these tumors. The advertised projects focus on (1) unraveling targetable nodes of the cancer-immune niche and its impact on treatment response and resistance, (2) develop novel immunotherapies for pancreatic cancer subtypes, and (3) developing computational single-cell and spatial transcriptomics pipelines to investigate tumor subtype specific genetic interactions in close collaboration with the Theis lab at Helmholtz Center Munich.
We are an enthusiastic and international team and offer intensive training and mentoring.
Your Tasks
The successful candidates will have the opportunity to:
* Gain important insights into clinically relevant aspects of cancer development and therapy
* Perform state-of-the-art in vivo experiments and large-scale drug and genetic screens
* Apply a wide spectrum of genetic, molecular, and cell biology, biochemical as well as immunological, and bioinformatics techniques to study translational aspects of cancer (e.g., Cre/loxP and Flp/FRT-based dual and triple recombinase systems, organoid culture, orthotopic transplantations of cells/organoids, CRISPR/Cas9, molecular in vivo imaging, quantitative proteomics/phosphoproteomics, multiple transcriptomics and genomics approaches, single-cell sequencing, and histocytometry)
* Set up bioinformatics platforms and develop computational pipelines for the analysis of bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing, DNA sequencing datasets, and proteomics
* Integrate these datasets with molecular (WES, WGBS, lcWGS, ChIPseq, ATACseq), phenotypic (e.g. histology), drug screening, and clinical information
* Interact within a diverse and multidisciplinary environment of biologists, clinicians, computational scientists, and mathematicians within the TranslaTUM
Your Profile
We are looking for exceptional, self-motivated, bright individuals with a diploma or master’s degree in bioinformatics, biochemistry, biology, molecular/translational medicine or related subjects and a PhD in life and computer sciences. Previous exposure to and experience with basic biochemical and molecular biology techniques, proteomics, and bioinformatics, as well as interests in molecular aspects of cancer research, are essential. Due to the interdisciplinary framework and close collaboration between wet-lab and computational scientists, good communicative skills in English are essential. German language skills are not required.
We Offer
*
o Excellent framework conditions: state-of-the-art equipment and opportunities for international networking at the highest level
o Remuneration according to TV-L incl. occupational pension plan and capital-forming payments
o 30 days of vacation per year
o Flexible working hours
o Possibility of part-time work
o Family-friendly working environment
o Sustainable travel to work: subsidized Germany job ticket
o Our Corporate Health Management Program offers a holistic approach to your well-being
o Develop your full potential: access to the DKFZ International Postdoc Program and DKFZ Career Service with targeted offers for your personal development to further develop your talents
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Dieter Saur
Phone: +49 89 4140-9130
The positions are initially limited to 2 years. An extension is possible.
Application Deadline: 14.11.2025
Applications by e-mail cannot be accepted.
Please also note that we cannot return applications submitted by post.
Are you interested?
Then become part of the DKFZ and join us in contributing to a life without cancer!
We are convinced that an innovative research and working environment thrives on the diversity of its employees. Therefore, we welcome applications from talented people, regardless of gender, cultural background, nationality, ethnicity, sexual identity, physical ability, religion and age. People with severe disabilities are given preference if they have the same aptitude.
Notice: We are subject to the regulations of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG). Therefore, all our employees must provide proof of immunity against measles.
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Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum | Im Neuenheimer Feld 280 | 69120 Heidelberg |
Company
About the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
The German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) is Germany’s largest biomedical research institute and a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. Over 3,200 staff members from 88 nations are dedicated to performing and driving cutting edge research for a life without cancer. Organized in more than 100 divisions and research groups, the focus of our 1,400 scientists is to unravel the causes and mechanisms of cancer development and progression, and to develop novel strategies for the diagnosis, early detection, prevention and treatment of cancer though innovative translational research.
Scientists at the DKFZ have received the most prestigious academic awards, including Prof. Harald zur Hausen, awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2008 for his pioneering work on Human Papilloma Viruses (HPV),and Prof. Stefan Hell, who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research on super-resolution imaging.
The DKFZ core site is located in Heidelberg, the “ City of Science ”, which is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Germany with a highly international community: An estimated 56,000 of Heidelberg’s 160,000 inhabitants have an international background – many of whom are scientists or students.
Research Topics and Scientific Collaborations
The DKFZ is an international leader in a number of research areas including stem cell research, bioinformatics and systems biology, cancer genomics, neurooncology, pediatric oncology, cancer prevention, tumor immunology, virology, radiooncology and medical image analysis. The interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment at the DKFZ also results in excellent opportunities for computational and data scientists with interest in biomedical applications.
Research at the DKFZ is organized into six research programs :
On the mission for a life without cancer, the DKFZ collaborates with renowned clinical and research institutions at the local, national and international level. A key goal is to continuously strengthen translational research activities with the aim of sustainably advancing state-of-the-art clinical cancer research in Germany and thereby improving the treatment outcomes and quality of life of cancer patients. Together with University Hospital partners across Germany, the DKFZ established the National Centers for Tumor Diseases (NCT) as leading Comprehensive Cancer Centers in Germany, as well as the Hopp Childrens’ Tumor Center (KiTZ) in Heidelberg with a specific focus on pediatric oncology. Within the German Cancer Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), research institutions and university hospitals at eight partner locations collaborate with the DKFZ, the core center of the DKTK, to speed up the transfer of successful cancer research into clinical practice. Furthermore, the HI-TRON in Mainz is a cooperative effort to make full use of the potential of individualized immunotherapy.
Training Programs and Career Development
Talent management and career development are central parts of DKFZ’s mission to maintain scientific excellence. The DKFZ places strong emphasis on the international recruitment and comprehensive training of excellent scientists, specifically welcoming diverse and international backgrounds.
Dedicated programs train young scientists and clinicians and prepare them for their next career step:
The DKFZ has developed programs to support the reconciliation of family and careers at all levels and international employees are supported by the International Staff Services in the planning, preparation and realization of their stay in Heidelberg.
Innovation Management
The DKFZ builds on strong Innovation Management to foster the development of innovative preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic products for maximum societal benefit. It facilitates technology transfer through licensing and support of spin-off companies. Recent examples include iOmx Therapeutics, Apogenix and mtm laboratories. The DKFZ also has strong collaborations with industry partners, such as Bayer Healthcare, Bosch, SAP and Siemens .
Company info
Telephone
+49 (0) 6221 420
Location
Im Neuenheimer Feld 280
Heidelberg
Baden-Württemberg
D-69120
Germany