Postdoctoral Researcher - Computational & Translational Analysis of Pulmonary Nodules

dkfz. Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum; Heidelberg; Hybrid; EUR 60.000 - 75.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

TV-L salary with pension

Capital-forming payments

Germany job ticket subsidy

Health management program

Postdoc career development

Zusammenfassung

The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join an interdisciplinary program focused on early lung cancer detection and pulmonary nodules. You will lead computational analyses, integrate spatial and genomic data, and collaborate with clinicians, pathologists, and imaging scientists to translate findings into patient-centered insights.

The role combines cutting-edge multimodal data analysis with translational research, mentoring junior

Qualifikationen

• Master's degree and PhD in computational biology, bioinformatics, systems biology, biomedical data science, cancer biology, or a related field.
• Strong experience in omics data analysis, ideally including single-cell or spatial transcriptomics.
• Proficiency in R and/or Python and modern data-analysis workflows.
• Experience with unsupervised learning, clustering, and integrative analysis.
• Ability to translate computational findings into biological and translational insights.
• Interest in early cancer detection and biomarker discovery.

Aufgaben

• Lead unbiased computational analyses and biological interpretation.
• Integrate multi-omics data with clinical metadata and radiomic features.
• Develop biomarker discovery strategies and validation plans with clinicians and pathologists.
• Coordinate cross-group collaboration and reproducible analysis workflows.
• Contribute to high-impact interdisciplinary publications.
• Participate in patient-centered co-design initiatives and knowledge translation.

Kenntnisse

Genomic analysis

Single-cell data

Spatial transcriptomics

R

Python

Ausbildung

Master's degree and PhD in computational biology or related field

Tools

Git

Jupyter

Jobbeschreibung

Postdoctoral Researcher - Computational & Translational Analysis of Pulmonary Nodules

The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is one of Europe’s largest cancer research centers. “Research for a life without cancer\" is the mission of our world-class scientists and all our team members.

The DKFZ is a place where the brightest minds pursue bold ideas and seek answers to pioneering scientific questions through collaboration, innovation, and exploration across many disciplines. We provide a dynamic environment which empowers excellence with state-of-the-art technologies, cutting edge infrastructure, and a global scientific network.

Contribute your knowledge, vision, and dedication to create a space where scientific discovery in cancer research is transformed into benefits for human health.

The Division of Computational and Molecular Prevention of the DKFZ, in collaboration with the Translational Molecular Imaging in Oncologic Therapy Monitoring Unit, invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to join an interdisciplinary research program within the PRELUNG study, focusing on early lung cancer detection and biological characterization of pulmonary nodules. The position combines cutting-edge multimodal data analysis with patient-centered translational research, including a novel co-design initiative on the return of molecular and imaging data to study participants.
Project Background:
Pulmonary nodules from hundreds of patients are being collected and biopsied as part of a prospective imaging study. Up to 40 FFPE biopsy samples will be analyzed using spatial transcriptomics and mutREAD DNA sequencing, enabling integrative analysis of spatial gene expression, tissue architecture, and genomic alterations at early stages of lung carcinogenesis. The postdoctoral researcher will play a central integrative role, leading unbiased computational analyses, biological interpretation, and biomarker discovery in close collaboration with clinicians, pathologists, and technology experts across multiple research groups.

Your Tasks

Scientific & Computational Responsibilities:

• Genomic alteration profiles (copy number alterations, SNVs)
• Histopathological diagnoses and clinical metadata
• Radiomic features (in collaboration with imaging specialists)
• Perform unsupervised clustering and pattern discovery without predefined diagnostic labels
• Interpret molecular and microenvironmental states of benign, premalignant, and malignant pulmonary nodules
• Identify and prioritize biomarkers for:
• Contribute to validation strategies (e.g. immunohistochemistry) in collaboration with pathologists
• Lead the preparation of high-impact, interdisciplinary publications

Translational & Collaborative Responsibilities:

• Act as a scientific integrator across multiple collaborating research groups
• Communicate effectively with clinicians, pathologists, imaging scientists, and molecular technologists
• Maintain reproducible and well-documented analysis workflows
• Actively participate in a participant-driven co-design process to develop a framework for returning molecular and imaging data to study participants
• Contribute scientific content to patient workshops and plain-language communication materials
• Co-facilitate workshops together with ethicists, communication experts, and institutional partners
• Help synthesize participant feedback into structured outputs, including:
• Prototype participant reports
• An evaluated framework for future implementation

Your Profile

• Master's degree and PhD in computational biology, bioinformatics, systems biology, biomedical data science, cancer biology, or a related field
• Strong experience inomics data analysis, ideally including single-cell or spatial transcriptomics
• Proficiency in R and/or Python and modern data-analysis workflows
• Experience with unsupervised learning, clustering, and integrative analysis
• Ability to translate computational findings into meaningful biological and translational insights
• Strong interest in early cancer detection and biomarker discovery

Given the dual scientific and participatory nature of the project, exceptional interpersonal skills are a core requirement. The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Excellent communication skills across diverse audiences (patients, clinicians, computational scientists)
• Empathy, active listening, and comfort engaging with non-expert stakeholders
• Ability to discuss uncertainty and non-actionable findings responsibly
• Confidence contributing to group facilitation without reliance on hierarchical authority
• A collaborative, inclusive, and respectful working style

Applicants are encouraged to highlight concrete evidence of these skills (e.g. patient-facing research, public engagement, teaching, facilitation, or interdisciplinary leadership).

You can look forward to

• A highly interdisciplinary, collaborative research environment at one of Europe’s leading cancer research centers
• Access to state-of-the-art spatial and genomic technologies
• Close interaction with clinicians, pathologists, and technology developers
• Opportunity to lead high-impact publications
• Active involvement in innovative patient-centered research initiatives

Application

Interested applicants should submit the following documents via our online application tool:

• A cover letter describing your scientific interests and motivation for this interdisciplinary and patient-engaged role
• Contact details of 2–3 references

We Offer

• Remuneration according to TV-L incl. occupational pension plan and capital-forming payments
• Family-friendly working environment
• Sustainable travel to work: subsidized Germany job ticket
• 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

Are you interested?

Then become part of the DKFZ and join us in contributing to a life without cancer!

Contact

Emiliana Funaro
Phone:[phone]

Duration: The position is initially limited to 2 years with the possibility of prolongation.

Application Deadline:October 2, 2026

Applications by e-mail cannot be accepted.

Please also note that we cannot return applications submitted by post.

We are convinced that an innovative research and working environment thrives on the diversity of its employees. Therefore, we welcome applications from talented people, regardless of gender, cultural background, nationality, ethnicity, sexual identity, physical ability, religion and age. People with severe disabilities are given preference if they have the same aptitude.

Notice:We are subject to the regulations of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG). Therefore, all our employees must provide proof of immunity against measles.