Postdoctoral Fellow in Cancer Prevention

DKFZ German Cancer Research Center; Center (IN); On-site; USD 52,872 - 82,246; Full time

Job summary

A leading biomedical research institution is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow in Cancer Prevention to lead innovative research on tailored cancer screening strategies. This full-time role includes international collaboration, mentoring, and a commitment to equity in cancer prevention. Ideal candidates hold a Ph.D. and have a strong background in cancer epidemiology and statistical software proficiency.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Public Health, or related field.
• Strong background in cancer epidemiology, risk prediction, or health disparities.
• Experience with machine learning or multi-omics data is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects on race-adapted cancer screening.
• Collaborate internationally through the ACED consortium.
• Publish in high-impact journals and contribute to grant writing.

Skills

Cancer epidemiology

Risk prediction

Health disparities

Excellent communication

Collaboration skills

Education

Ph.D. in Epidemiology or related field

Tools

SAS

R

Stata

SPSS

Job description

Overview

Postdoctoral Fellow in Cancer Prevention role at DKFZ German Cancer Research Center. The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is Germany’s largest biomedical research institution and a member of the Helmholtz Association. With over 3,000 employees across more than 100 divisions, DKFZ is a global leader in cancer research dedicated to uncovering disease mechanisms, identifying risk factors, and advancing prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Role: This is a full-time, on-site position for a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Risk Adapted Cancer Prevention Group at DKFZ in Heidelberg. The fellow will contribute to cutting-edge research on risk-adapted cancer screening, focusing on tailoring screening strategies based on individual risk factors such as race, ethnicity, family history, medical history, and socioeconomic status.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects on race-adapted starting age for colorectal, breast, or prostate cancer screening
• Collaborate internationally through the ACED consortium, including institutions like Cancer Research UK, Dana-Farber, and University of Cambridge
• Publish in high-impact journals and contribute to grant writing
• Present findings at international conferences and workshops
• Work with Prof. Mahdi Fallah, an internationally recognized expert with >90 peer-reviewed publications
• Be part of a team whose work has received global media attention (e.g., CNN, Medscape) and exceptional Altmetric scores
• Contribute to a paradigm shift in cancer screening policy—from one-size-fits-all to personalized, risk-adapted approaches
• Benefit from mentorship, international collaboration, and support for independent funding applications
• Maintain a strong commitment to addressing equity in cancer prevention through innovative research

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Public Health, Bioinformatics, or related field
• Strong background in cancer epidemiology, risk prediction, or health disparities
• Proficiency in statistical software (SAS preferred, or R, Stata, SPSS)
• Experience with machine learning or multi-omics data is a plus
• Proven publication record in peer-reviewed journals
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Motivation to address equity in cancer prevention through innovative research

Employment details

• Location: Heidelberg, Germany
• Employment type: Full-time