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The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) invites applications for a Staff Scientist as Parental Leave Replacement in the Single-cell Open Lab (scOpenLab) in Heidelberg. You will guide spatial and single-cell omics projects, train users, and help advance multimodal workflows with cutting-edge infrastructure.
Requirements include MSc in life sciences (PhD preferred), strong English/German, and experience with NGS, library prep, tissue handling and imaging analyses.
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.
We investigate how cancer develops, identify cancer risk factors and search 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 Single-cell Open Lab at the German Cancer Research Center is seeking, starting in January 2027, a Staff Scientist as Parental Leave Replacement.
The Single-cell Open Lab (scOpenLab) provides state-of-the-art infrastructure and scientific expertise for single-cell sequencing and spatial omics. Our goal is to enable researchers to perform advanced experiments independently: we advise users on experimental design, provide hands-on training, and support them throughout project optimization, experimental implementation, and library preparation.
Our technology portfolio covers a broad range of single-cell and multi-omic approaches, including single-cell RNA, DNA, and chromatin profiling, as well as spatial transcriptomics and spatial proteomics. Beyond providing access to established technologies, method development is an important part of our work. We continuously evaluate, adapt, and establish emerging single-cell and spatial technologies and develop customized experimental workflows. Examples include HIPSDR-seq for joint single-cell DNA and RNA profiling and the implementation of new spatial omics approaches. The scOpenLab is also closely involved in MultiSpace, the platform for spatial omics within the Health + Life Science Alliance Heidelberg Mannheim. Through MultiSpace, we collaborate with other technology platforms and research groups to enable multimodal spatial profiling and the integration of spatial transcriptomic, proteomic, and other molecular readouts.
Duration: The position is initially limited until 31.12.2027. An extension is possible.
Application Deadline: October 22, 2026
Applications by e-mail cannot be accepted.
Please also note that we cannot return applications submitted by post.
Notice: We are subject to the regulations of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG). Therefore, all our employees must provide proof of immunity against measles.
Dr. Jan-Philipp Mallm Phone: +49 (0)6221/54-51378
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.