PhD / PostDoc (m/f/d) Bioinformatics

UKSH; Kiel; On-site; EUR 50,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

TV-L salary (E13)

Full-time 38.5 hours/week

Job summary

The University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) in Kiel invites applications for a PhD student / postdoctoral researcher in bioinformatics. You will develop independent projects and collaborate across groups, focusing on computational analysis of high-dimensional sequencing data and immune-cell characterization.

The role emphasizes integration of scRNA-seq, TCR-seq and ATAC-seq with transcriptomic and flow cytometry data, and the creation of robust analysis pipelines in close collaboration

Qualifications

• Master's degree in bioinformatics or related field; PhD required for postdoc positions.
• Strong interest in single-cell omics, immunology and computational analysis of biological data.
• Experience with next-generation sequencing technologies (scRNA-seq, TCR-seq or ATAC-seq) is desirable.
• Good programming skills in R and/or Python, including development and documentation of workflows.
• High commitment, independence, and strong English communication; collaborative with experimental teams.

Responsibilities

• Analyze single-cell RNA sequencing, TCR sequencing, and ATAC sequencing data.
• Integrate transcriptomic, TCR, epigenetic and flow cytometry data to characterize immune cell states.
• Develop reproducible bioinformatics workflows and analysis pipelines with data visualization.
• Collaborate across projects with experimental scientists and clinicians.

Skills

Single-cell omics

R/Python programming

English communication

Collaborative work

Education

Master's degree in bioinformatics or related field

PhD (required for postdoc)

Tools

scRNA-seq

TCR-seq

ATAC-seq

Job description

The University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) with its locations in Kiel and Lübeck is one of the largest medical care centers in Europe. It serves to warrant maximum medical care in the northernmost federal state and guarantees medical-technical care at the highest level, especially for patients who require highly differentiated diagnosis and therapy. The unique feature of university medicine is the interaction of health care, research and teaching with the result that scientific findings flow directly into the health system.

Our research aims to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for chronic inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel, liver, lung and skin diseases. To achieve this, we investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying immune regulation in different disease contexts and employ state-of-the-art technologies to comprehensively characterize human immune cells, with a particular focus on antigen-specific CD4+ T cells. A major focus of our research is the integration of high-dimensional single-cell and immune repertoire data. Our group combines enrichment of rare antigen-specific CD4+ T cells with multidimensional flow cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing, T cell receptor sequencing and ATAC sequencing to investigate cellular states, immune cell differentiation, clonality and regulatory mechanisms in health and disease.

As a PhD student / postdoctoral researcher in bioinformatics, you will be an integral part of the research activities within our group. You will develop and pursue independent research projects and also contribute to a broad range of collaborative projects involving different members of the group. Your work will focus on the computational analysis, integration and interpretation of high-dimensional sequencing data, with particular emphasis on:

• Analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing, T cell receptor sequencing, and ATAC sequencing data
• Integration of transcriptomic, TCR, epigenetic and flow cytometry data to characterize immune cell states and regulatory mechanisms
• Development and application of reproducible bioinformatics workflows and analysis pipelines, including data visualization and interpretation
• Active contribution to diverse collaborative projects within the group, including the planning and design of computational analyses in close interaction with experimental scientists

Start in our team:

Join our research team starting from February 1st 2027. The position is initially limited to two years, with the possibility of extension. We are looking forward to welcoming you as part of our team with all your skills and commitment.

What we offer:

• Salary will be according to the German salary scale TV-L (German TV-L E13, PhD student 65%, Postdoc 100%)
• A full-time position, currently 38,5 hours/week; part-time employment may be compatible within the framework of certain working time models
• Exceptional technical infrastructure especially for multi-dimensional flow-cytometry and for next generation sequencing at the the Institute of Medical Immunology and the Center of Molecular Biosciences (ZMB)
• A fascinating research environment for the investigation of basic processes of human immune reactions with direct implications for immune-mediated diseases
• A systematic training to work independently in a challenging and diversified research field
• The opportunity to work in a dedicated, supportive and international research team
• An extensive pool of sophisticated methods and complex laboratory instruments

What you bring with you:

University degree (Master’s or equivalent) in bioinformatics, computational biology, biology, biostatistics, data science or a related field; completed PhD required for postdoctoral positions

Strong interest in single-cell omics, immunology and computational analysis of biological data

Experience with next-generation sequencing technologies (e.g. scRNA-seq, TCR-seq or ATAC-seq) is desirable

Good programming skills in R and/or Python, including the development, adaptation and documentation of computational workflows

High degree of commitment, independence, organizational skills and responsibility, along with strong communication skills in English and the ability to collaborate effectively with experimental and clinical teams

Working at the university hospital of the future

University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) combines world-class research with interdisciplinary patient care. As the only maximum care provider and the largest employer in the state, our approximately 17,000 employees ensure highly individualized care – essential for the people of Schleswig-Holstein.

*UKSH and its subsidiaries are committed to equal opportunity and value diversity. We therefore explicitly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We continuously strive to achieve gender equality.

Published on: Oct 15, 2026

Location: Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, DE, 24105

Job reference number: 29445

Do you have any questions?

Your contact:

Prof. Dr. Petra Bacher [phone]