Computational Biologist (m/f/d)

„Research for a life without cancer“ is our mission at the German Cancer Research Center. We investigate how cancer develops, identify cancer risk factors and look for new cancer prevention strategies. We develop new methods with which tumors can be diagnosed more precisely and cancer patients can be treated more successfully. Every contribution counts – whether in research, administration, or infrastructure. This is what makes our daily work so meaningful and exciting.

The Precision Sarcoma Research Group is seeking for the next possible date a Computational Biologist (m/f/d).

Reference number: 2024-0383

Our group is seeking a computational biologist to join the efforts of the consortium “DECIPHER-M: Deciphering Metastasis with Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Foundation Models” (Coordinators: Daniel Truhn, RWTH Aachen; Jakob Niklas Kather, EKFZ Digital Health & TU Dresden). This 5-year consortium will be initiated at the beginning of 2025 and is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) under “Major unanswered questions in cancer research” in the framework of the National Decade against Cancer.

The candidate will focus on the establishment and execution of single-cell and spatial omics analysis workflows, followed by the application of these data to deconvolute mechanistic processes from artificial intelligence-based composite signatures derived from foundation models, which in turn, are generated from multimodal clinical and molecular profiles of patients with metastatic cancer. The successful candidate will lead this project within a multi­disci­plinary team of molecular biologists and clinicians, overseeing the design, execution, and coordination of research activities as well as scientific communication.

• PhD or equivalent in bioinformatics, compu­tational biology, cancer biology or similar
• Strong background in analyzing and integrating large-scale bulk multi-omics datasets, experience in single-cell and spatial-omics approaches
• Proficiency in programming languages such as R and Python, bash scripting and deep learning frameworks
• Ability to acquire and process data from sequencing facilities or public resources, work with HPCs, run, adapt existing pipelines (in-house or nf-core) and develop new ones
• Strong publication record, including lead authorships, with experience in collaborative research and supervision of students or interns
• Comprehensive knowledge of cancer biology and cancer genomics, maintained through rigorous literature review and applied to data interpretation and project advancement
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively, with high self-initiative, a strong work ethic, and team-oriented mindset

Applications must include a CV, cover letter, complete list of publications, references or recommendation letters, and expected availability date. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Excellent framework conditions: state-of-the-art equipment and oppor­tunities for inter­national networking at the highest level
• 30 days of vacation per year
• Flexible working hours
• Remuneration according to TV-L incl. occupational pension plan and capital-forming payments
• Possibility of part-time work
• Family-friendly working environ­ment
• Sustainable travel to work: subsidized Germany job ticket
• Unleash your full potential: targeted offers for your personal develop­ment promote your talents
• Our Corporate Health Manage­ment Program offers a holistic approach to your well-being