Postdoctoral Researcher - Computational & Translational Analysis of Pulmonary Nodules
Kennziffer: 2026-0013
- Heidelberg
- Full-time
- Computational and Molecular Prevention
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The Division of Computational and Molecular Prevention (headed by Prof. Dr. Filimon Goncalves) is seeking for the next possible date a
The Division of Computational and Molecular Prevention of the DKFZ, in collaboration with the Translational Molecular Imaging in Oncologic Therapy Monitoring Unit, invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to join an interdisciplinary research program within the PRELUNG study, focusing on early lung cancer detection and biological characterization of pulmonary nodules.
Pulmonary nodules from hundreds of patients are being collected and biopsied as part of a prospective imaging study. Up to 40 FFPE biopsy samples will be analyzed using spatial transcriptomics and mutREAD DNA sequencing, enabling integrative analysis of spatial gene expression, tissue architecture, and genomic alterations at early stages of lung carcinogenesis.
Ihre Aufgaben:
Scientific & Computational Responsibilities:
- Lead unbiased, data-driven integration of:
- Spatial transcriptomics data
- Genomic alteration profiles (copy number alterations, SNVs)
- Histopathological diagnoses and clinical metadata
- Radiomic features (in collaboration with imaging specialists)
- Perform unsupervised clustering and pattern discovery without predefined diagnostic labels
- Interpret molecular and microenvironmental states of benign, premalignant, and malignant pulmonary nodules
- Identify and prioritize biomarkers for:
- Liquid biopsy development
- PET tracer target discovery
- Contribute to validation strategies (e.g. immunohistochemistry) in collaboration with pathologists
- Lead the preparation of high-impact, interdisciplinary publications
Translational & Collaborative Responsibilities:
- Act as a scientific integrator across multiple collaborating research groups
- Communicate effectively with clinicians, pathologists, imaging scientists, and molecular technologists
- Maintain reproducible and well-documented analysis workflows
Patient Engagement & Return-of-Data Work Package:
- Actively participate in a participant-driven co-design process to develop a framework for returning molecular and imaging data to study participants
- Contribute scientific content to patient workshops and plain-language communication materials
- Co-facilitate workshops together with ethicists, communication experts, and institutional partners
- Help synthesize participant feedback into structured outputs, including:
- A return-of-data blueprint
- Prototype participant reports
- An evaluated framework for future implementation
Ihr Profil:
- Master's degree and PhD in computational biology, bioinformatics, systems biology, biomedical data science, cancer biology, or a related field
- Strong experience in omics data analysis, ideally including single-cell or spatial transcriptomics
- Proficiency in R and/or Python and modern data-analysis workflows
- Experience with unsupervised learning, clustering, and integrative analysis
- Ability to translate computational findings into meaningful biological and translational insights
- Strong interest in early cancer detection and biomarker discovery
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
- Excellent communication skills across diverse audiences (patients, clinicians, computational scientists)
- Empathy, active listening, and comfort engaging with non-expert stakeholders
- Ability to discuss uncertainty and non-actionable findings responsibly
- Confidence contributing to group facilitation without reliance on hierarchical authority
- A collaborative, inclusive, and respectful working style
Application:
Interested applicants should submit the following documents via our online application tool:
- A cover letter describing your scientific interests and motivation for this interdisciplinary and patient-engaged role
- Curriculum vitae
- Contact details of 2–3 references
Unser Angebot:
- Hervorragende Rahmenbedingungen: modernste state-of-the-art Infrastruktur und Möglichkeit zum internationalen Austausch auf Spitzenniveau
- Vergütung nach TV-L inkl. betrieblicher Altersvorsorge und vermögenswirksamer Leistungen
- 30 Tage Urlaub
- Flexible Arbeitszeiten
- Möglichkeit zur Teilzeitarbeit
- Familienfreundliches Arbeitsumfeld
- Nachhaltig zur Arbeit: Vergünstigtes Deutschland-Jobticket
- Unser betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement bietet ein ganzheitliches Angebot für Ihr Wohlbefinden
- Entfalten Sie Ihr volles Potenzial: Zugang zum DKFZ International Postdoc Program und dem DKFZ Career Service mit gezielten Angeboten für Ihre persönliche Entwicklung fördern Ihre Talente
Sie sind interessiert?
Dr. Angela Teresa Filimon Goncalves
Telefon: +49(0)6221/42-1280
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