Postdoc Biology - Cancer Microbiome (m/f/div)

As part of the BMBF-funded project PerMICCion (www.permiccion.de), the Microbiome Dynamics (MBD) Department contributes to the development of personalized microbiome-based strategies to aid in the detection, monitoring, treatment, and prevention of colorectal cancer in young adults. We are looking for an excellent and enthusiastic postdoc scientist in the fields of metagenomics and/or big data to work on this project and collaborate closely with our network of top scientists in cancer, epidemiology, and nutritional research. The aim of the project is to apply metagenomic-based bioinformatic approaches and machine learning to identify microbiome-derived biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of early-onset colorectal cancer.

In this project, you will contribute to fight colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer worldwide and with a dramatic increased incidence in young adults in current years. The candidate will also have the opportunity to contribute to several national and international research projects focused on the role of the microbiome in globally significant diseases. Together with renowned scientists and supported by an excellent infrastructure, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a healthier and fairer society. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

• Doctoral degree in systems biology, computational biology, bioinformatics, computer science, or a related discipline
• A strong interest in conducting collaborative research on the topic outlined above is paramount
• Candidates are expected to be interested in working at the boundaries of several research domains
• Expert in the analysis of biological high-throughput data
• Knowledge of statistical methods in the context of biological systems
• Proficiency with programming (Python, Perl, C++, R)
• Well-developed collaborative skills

• The successful candidate will be hosted in the department Microbiome Dynamics of Prof. Dr. Gianni Panagiotou of the Leibniz-HKI in an international, dynamic team and an “open-door” atmosphere with access to state-of-the-art computational resources.
• MBD is currently coordinating the EU-funded consortium MiCCrobioTAckle, and is an active participant in the EU-funded consortium FOODGUARD, NUTRIMMUNE, Cluster of Excellence “Balance of the Microverse” (www.microverse-cluster.de) and the CRC/Transregio 124 “Pathogenic Fungi and Their Human Host: Networks of Interaction” (www.funginet.de) funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.
• The Leibniz-HKI provides an international and multi-disciplinary environment with strong expertise in the proposed research field. The group consists of approximately 15 members at different levels of seniority.

Salary is paid according to German TV-L (salary agreement for public service employees). As an equal opportunity employer, the Leibniz-HKI is committed to increasing the percentage of female scientists and, therefore, especially encourages them to apply.