Staff Scientist - Mass Spectrometry Core (Proteomics)

Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V.; Germany (OH); On-site; USD 69,889 - 93,185; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days of vacation

Annual bonus

Company pension plan

Flexible working hours

Health offers on campus

Job summary

A leading research institute is seeking a Staff Scientist for their Mass Spectrometry Core Facility. The position involves providing expert-level support in mass spectrometry analyses, developing methodologies, and assisting users from diverse backgrounds. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in a related field and over 5 years of hands-on experience in proteomics. This role offers a supportive and dynamic research environment, competitive compensation, and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in proteomics, ideally with low-abundance samples.
• Experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting LC-MS instrumentation.
• Demonstrated experience developing automated sample handling and data processing pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Manage and optimize the sample management process for high-throughput studies.
• Ensure optimal performance of mass spectrometers.
• Develop and validate new analytical protocols.
• Provide expert user support, including training on instrument operation.

Skills

Expert-level support for mass spectrometry analyses

Proteomics expertise

Strong communication skills

Collaboration across teams

Education

Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Bioinformatics, or related field

Tools

LC-MS instrumentation

Job description

The Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) belongs to the „Forschungsverbund Berlin e. V. (FVB)“. The FVB is an institution of seven natural sciences research institutes in Berlin funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and the association of its federal states. The research institutes are members of the Leibniz association.

The Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) in Berlin is a non-university research institute that conducts basic research in molecular pharmacology and provides a vibrant and collaborative environment with state-of-the-art facilities for research and employees from all over the world.

We are looking for a

Staff Scientist – Mass Spectrometry Core Facility (m/f/d)
(Ref 12/2025)

to join the Core Facility ‘Mass Spectrometry’led by Prof. Dr. Fan Liu. The position can be filled as of March 2026 and is initially limitedto two years with the option of becoming permanent.

The Staff Scientist is responsible for providing expert-level support for mass spectrometry analyses, including experimental design, data acquisition, and data interpretation. This role involves developing and optimizing methodologies, assisting users from diverse research backgrounds, and maintaining and troubleshooting mass spectrometry instrumentation. The candidate must demonstrate deep expertise in general proteomics, and extensive hands-on experience in processing diverse sets of samples ranging from cell and tissue samples to low-amount samples for example human samples for clinical proteomics, as well as in establishing pipelines for automated sample handling and data processing and for large-scale cohort studies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and optimize the sample management process, ensuring efficient workflow for high-throughput studies.
• Ensure optimal performance of mass spectrometers (together with the engineer).
• Develop and validate new analytical protocols (together with the technician).
• Test and optimize instrument parameters for different applications needed by the facility.
• Provide expert-level user support, including training on instrument operation, assisting with sample preparation, method optimization, and complex data analysis.
• Adapt and optimize advanced quantitative proteomic techniques (e.g., PTM analysis, TMT, label-free quantification, DIA).
• Implement and apply protocols for crosslinking mass spectrometry and interactomics pioneered by the Liu research lab.
• Collaboratewith researchers on projects; contribute to scientific publications.
• Diagnose and resolvecomplex instrument, software, and analytical challenges to minimize downtime.
• Establish automated sample handling and data processing pipelines for low-amount samples.
• Maintain documentation of maintenance logs, instrument status, experiment protocols, optimization experiments and quality records.

Your profile:

• Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Bioch emistry, Proteomics, or a closely related field, or equivalent combination of education and extensive practical experience.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in proteomics with a proven track record of accomplishment, ideally involving low-abundance samples applications.
• 5+ years of practical experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting LC-MS instrumentation.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated experience in developing automated sample handling and data processing pipelines for high-throughput analyses.
• Proven experience managing laboratory operations, including quality system implementation, documentation and method validation.

We offer:

• An attractive environment in a pleasant, friendly working atmosphere with an excellent infrastructure.
• Compensation in accordance with the public collective bargaining agreement (TVöD Bund) including the usual social benefits, i.e. 30 days of vacation, annual bonus, company pension plan with the Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder (VBL).
• In-house support for Fellowship applications.
• Work-life balance (certified by Audit Beruf und Familie) as well as flexible working hours and the possibility of mobile working.
• Health offers on campus (courses, fitness center, etc.).
• Mobility offers such as job ticket, campus bikes and Jelbi station on campus.

We offer equal opportunities regardless of gender and welcome applications of disabled candidates. They will be preferred in case of equal qualification. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

On the FMP homepage please go to “https://leibniz-fmp.de/job-opportunities ” and click first on this advertisement and then on the button “Apply online”. Please combine your application documents including motivation letter, CV, contact information for two letters of reference and copies of degree certificates as soon as possible but not later than February 12, 2026. Applications will be considered upon submission.

We are looking forward to your application!