DZNE is a world-leading, internationally oriented center for cutting-edge research into diseases of the nervous system. With its outstanding research personalities and state-of-the-art infrastructure, it offers the best conditions for publications and results at the highest level.

Around 1,200 employees at 10 locations in Germany are working together on new approaches to better understand and effectively combat diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and ALS.

That is our goal - maybe soon yours too? Become part of the DZNE and support us in realizing our research strategy!

Postdoc (f/m/x)

Code: 1401/2025/3

Healthy aging is one of the core research interests of Systems Medicine at the DZNE. To this end, we are using multi-omics data from large human cohorts to identify molecular determinants and pathways impacting major aging trajectories. This includes amongst others transcriptome data on single-cell and bulk level, metabolome data, and targeted proteomics, which we aim to interrogate using a wide array of techniques from standard bioinformatic approaches, computational modeling to machine learning approaches including swarm learning.

For more general information, please also visit the following websites of Dr. Aschenbrenner’s group (www.dzne.de/aschenbrenner) as well as the department Systems Medicine (www.dzne.de/en/research/research-areas/systems-medicine/).

Your role in detail

The successful candidate will lead the computational analysis to identify molecular determinants and pathways important for healthy aging and its deviations. The candidate will analyze data from human cohorts using a range of methodological approaches, including single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing analysis and the integration with other data layers, such as metabolome or proteome. One focus will be stratification of cohorts and the identification of individual characteristics with respect to immune profiles and potential treatment response profiles. Further, the candidate will develop computational models and algorithms to address the research question including swarm learning.

Your qualifications

• PhD in computational life sciences, bioinformatics, computer science or similar topic
• extensive experience in the analysis of single-cell omics datasets, including data integration, visualization, and interpretation
• fluency in at least one of the major programming languages (e.g. R or python)
• ability to work in a Unix-based environment
• proven track record of peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, demonstrating significant contributions to the field
• very good English proficiency
• expertise in biology and/or immunology is a plus
• experimental experience to support data generation in an SOP environment is favorable
• enthusiastic and collaborative work attitude
• ability to work independently as well as in a team
• participation in supervision of undergraduate and graduate students

What our employees value

• Innovation and internationality - a forward-looking infrastructure, modern laboratory and office equipment, software tools and the opportunity for international exchange with your colleagues from 65 nations
• Work-life balance - we reconcile work and private life with flexible working hours, 30 days' holiday (On top free on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve) and subsidised job/ Germany ticket options
• Family-conscious corporate culture - because we know that family is important, we support you with family services
• Health promotion – through our extensive range of company health programmes, in cooperation with Sozialwerk.Bund
• Focus on development - training programmes tailored to your individual needs and annual HR-development meetings for concrete prospects and potential development
• Remuneration and conditions according to TVöD-Bund - including annual special payment, capital-forming benefits and VBL supplementary pension scheme, in line with the responsibility and seniority of the role
• Personalised Onboarding - for a good start to your new professional challenge
• A full-time postdoctoral position (39 hours per week) for an initial period of three years with possible extension

Please submit your application online as a single pdf file, including your CV (incl. two references) and a brief cover letter (max. 1 page) stating your motivation for and prior experience relating to this offer. The employment is intended to start as soon as possible or upon agreement.

If you have further questions, please contact anna.aschenbrenner@dzne.de. Interviews will take place by video conference, with a possible on-site visit to Bonn. The position is available immediately and applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Site

Application deadline

14.03.2025