Research scientist PhD position (mfd) in computational and mathematical oncology

UKSH Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein; Kiel; Vor Ort; EUR 60.000 - 80.000; Teilzeit

Zusammenfassung

A university hospital in Schleswig-Holstein seeks a doctoral researcher in bioinformatics. The role involves analysing and modelling MRD data from ALL patients while developing computational approaches to understand disease evolution. Ideal candidates will have a PhD in relevant fields, programming skills, and enthusiastic willingness to learn. The position offers comprehensive training and part-time employment of 25 hours/week. Applications are open until 16.02.2026, with a reference number provided.

Leistungen

Comprehensive training in bioinformatics

Access to high-performance computing clusters

Collaborative interdisciplinary team environment

Qualifikationen

• Prior experience in bioinformatics or computational modelling is advantageous.
• Strong willingness to learn is essential.
• Experience with high‑dimensional or multimodal datasets is a plus.

Aufgaben

• Analyse and model longitudinal MRD data from ALL patients.
• Develop computational approaches for disease evolution understanding.
• Contribute to bioinformatics workflows and pipelines.

Kenntnisse

Programming skills (Python, R or similar)

Basic knowledge in statistics

Machine learning

Data analysis

Ausbildung

PhD or equivalent degree in biology, bioinformatics, physics, mathematics, or life sciences

Jobbeschreibung

Overview

Department of Internal Medicine II Hematology/Oncology Research project: Bioinformatics Core of the Research Unit CATCH ALL (Heads: Dr. Alina Hartmann, PD Dr. Michael Forster, Prof. Dr. Philipp Altrock). Your project will integrate measurable residual disease (MRD) data from adult and pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with molecular (e.g. transcriptomic) and epidemiologic (e.g. sex differences) characterisation. The goal is to better understand patient‑specific disease evolution and treatment response by bridging kinetic information such as MRD with specialised characterisations such as single‑cell transcriptomics. You will learn to develop and apply data‑driven models that link longitudinal kinetics to molecular subtypes and clinical outcomes, and to work toward digital‑twin representations of leukemia. As part of your training you will learn and apply bioinformatics workflows and computational analyses that support the rich and growing data infrastructure of the DFG‑funded Clinical Research Unit CATCH ALL in Kiel.

Start in our team

We are looking for professional and competent support to start as soon as possible for a limited period of 4 years.

What we offer

• The salary will be based on the German E13 TV‑L scale if the terms and conditions under the collective bargaining law are fulfilled.
• Part‑time employment currently 25 hours/week.
• Comprehensive training in bioinformatics pipelines, computational biology, biostatistics and mathematical modelling methods within a supportive interdisciplinary team.
• Access to extensive clinically annotated multi‑omics datasets and state‑of‑the‑art computational infrastructure including high‑performance computing clusters.
• You will analyse and model longitudinal MRD data from adult and pediatric ALL patients in combination with RNA sequencing and other molecular characterisations.
• You will develop computational approaches to understand subtype‑specific disease evolution and treatment response patterns.
• You will learn and contribute to bioinformatics workflows supporting the CATCH ALL data infrastructure, including pipelines for multi‑omics data integration and biostatistics.
• You will work in an interactive context with other projects of the CATCH ALL research unit, contributing to the molecular characterisation of disease heterogeneity and mechanisms driving relapse.

Responsibilities

• Analyse and model longitudinal MRD data from adult and pediatric ALL patients in combination with RNA sequencing and other molecular characterisations.
• Develop computational approaches to understand subtype‑specific disease evolution and treatment response patterns.
• Learn and contribute to bioinformatics workflows supporting the CATCH ALL data infrastructure, including pipelines for multi‑omics data integration and biostatistics.
• Work in an interactive context with other projects of the CATCH ALL research unit, contributing to the molecular characterisation of disease heterogeneity and mechanisms driving relapse.

Your profile

• Enthusiastic doctoral researcher with a degree (PhD or equivalent) in biology (bio)informatics, physics, mathematics, or life sciences. Prior experience in bioinformatics, computational modelling, or data analysis is advantageous but not required. A strong willingness to learn is essential.
• Basic knowledge in statistics, machine learning, or applied probability theory is beneficial, as is a strong interest in independently acquiring an in‑depth understanding of the project background and familiarising yourself with novel methods.
• Programming skills are required (Python, R or similar); experience with high‑dimensional or multimodal datasets is a plus.
• A solid command of English is essential; the research group’s working language is English.
• Focused, hardworking, and collaborative individual ready to contribute within the group and with its project partners.

Application process

We look forward to receiving your application including a cover letter, CV, and at least two references. Please submit your application until 16.02.2026, including the reference number 27940.

Additional information

Prof. Dr. Philipp Altrock and Dr. Alina Hartmann.