Postdoc (m/f/d) | Mechanisms of DNA-Repair in Cancer and Ageing

Job Code: 08-2023

Job Offer from March 29, 2023

A multitude of DNA-repair pathways ensure genomic integrity in a healthy cell. Disbalances or dysfunctionalities in these pathways can lead to genomic instability, which is a central contributor to carcinogenesis and ageing. Our research aims to provide a better understanding of the relationship between genome maintenance, ageing, and cancer, in an interdisciplinary approach. Within this project, we dissect defects in genome instability in patients suffering from mantle cell lymphoma, a mature B-cell lymphoma typically affecting the elderly. For these patients, mechanism-based therapies are scarce and treatment outcomes remain relatively poor. We investigate the mechanisms underlying this disease and its tumor microenvironment composition to identify potential novel therapeutic approaches. To this end, we apply a wide range of tools involving biochemistry, cell biology, high-dimensional multiplex imaging, next-generation sequencing and computational biology, and transfer these findings to modern genetically engineered and patient-derived mouse models.

We seek a highly motivated and talented scientist to join our enthusiastic and collaborative team in an outstanding scientific environment to take part in our research.

The Research Group for „Mechanisms of DNA Repair“ headed by Dr. Ron Jachimowicz is looking for a full time Postdoc (m/f/d) (Job code 08-2023)

The successful applicant will hold a M.D/Ph.D. in a relevant research area such as molecular biology, immunology, genetics or biochemistry and has a strong track record of accomplishment. Prior experience with mouse models, imaging, bioinformatics or cell culture are welcome, but are not required. The applicant should have a keen interest to investigate the interplay between DNA repair mechanisms, cancer and the tumor microenvironment. The working language is English; knowledge of German is not required.

The Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, was founded in 2008 with the aim to understand fundamental mechanisms of healthy ageing in various model systems. The institute is part of a network of research institutions in the Cologne-Bonn area dedicated to research on ageing and age-related disease, constituting a vibrant and collaborative environment with state-of-the-art facilities for research. Currently we host >300 employees from >30 different nations.

• Extensive program of internal training events
• Company health management and "Employee and Manager Assistance Program" (free psychosocial counseling offered by an external institution)
• Advice on family services, kindergarten allotments
• Reduced-price and subsidized job ticket for the VRS (regional transport authority)
• Discounted lunch in our employee canteen and free mineral water

The employment contract will be based on contracts for the civil service (TVöD-Bund, Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst) and will initially be time limited to 2 years. The Max Planck Society is committed to employ more disabled individuals and especially encourages them to apply. We also seek to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and particularly encourage them to apply.

Then please upload your complete application documents, containing a one-page letter with a personal statement describing your scientific accomplishments and your interests in our laboratory, your CV and bibliography, as well as contact information for 3 references (quoting job code: 08-2023), in electronic form as one single pdf-file until the 28.04.2023 via our online application platform .