Postdoctoral Scientist

„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.

We are seeking for the Research Group Genomic Epidemiology for the next possible date a Postdoctoral Scientist.

Reference number: 2024-0275 

The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is a world-leading institution in the field of applied and basic cancer research and offers an excellent research environment with state-of-the-art equipment and core facilities.

The main focus of the Genomic Epidemiology Group is to investigate the relation between human genetic variability and susceptibility to cancer. Cancer risk is influenced by inherited genetic variants conferring small to moderate risk of disease. Addition of small risks determined by single genetic variants can concur to increase or decrease significantly cancer susceptibility. We aim at identifying genetic variants that alter cancer risk, alone or in interaction with common environmental and lifestyle exposures, with the long-term goal of elaborating predictive models and adopting screening strategies for cancer prevention.

Further information is available on our DKFZ webpage (https://www.dkfz.de/en/genomische-epidemiologie/index.php).

Our main interest is to study the role of germline genetic variability in cancer risk and prognosis. Our main projects focus on pancreatic cancer and multiple myeloma. For both diseases we created and lead international consortia aimed at collecting biological samples and demographic, clinical and epidemiological data of cases and healthy controls. Both the PANcreatic Disease ReseArch (PANDoRA) consortium and the International Multiple Myeloma rESEarch (IMMEnSE) consortium have become valuable resources for the study of these two relatively rare but deadly diseases. In particular, we participate in genome-wide association studies, in the context of wider collaborations (PanScan for pancreatic cancer and InterLymph for multiple myeloma) and lead studies on specific genes and genomic regions.
The successful candidate will work on the maintenance of the consortia (management of databases and biobanks), and on the planning and execution of specific studies, including supervision of data analysis and labwork. 

• Master's and doctoral degree or equivalent in genetics, epidemiology or related disciplines
• Proven experience in genetic epidemiology research, documented by publication record
• Ability to work well in an international team and with external collaborators
• Fluency in English is required
• Knowledge in statistics and/or bioinformatics is a very desirable asset, as well as experience with the analysis of heterogeneous large-scale datasets

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