2 Research Technicians

Kennziffer: 2025-0250

• Heidelberg
• Full-time
• Microbiome and Cancer

„Forschen für ein Leben ohne Krebs“ – das ist unsere Aufgabe am Deutschen Krebsforschungszentrum. Wir erforschen, wie Krebs entsteht, erfassen Krebsrisikofaktoren und suchen nach neuen Strategien, die verhindern, dass Menschen an Krebs erkranken. Wir entwickeln neue Methoden, mit denen Tumore präziser diagnostiziert und Krebspatient:innen erfolgreicher behandelt werden können. Jeder Beitrag zählt – ob in der Forschung, in der Administration oder der Infrastruktur. Das macht unsere tägliche Arbeit so bedeutungsvoll und spannend.

To strengthen the Research Division "Microbiome and Cancer", we are seeking for the next possible date

The impact of the intestinal microbiota on health and disease has become increasingly clear in the last decade, and microbial imbalances are considered highly relevant for a variety of diseases including autoimmunity, metabolic disorders and cancer.
The vast majority of cancers are not caused by germline mutations, but rather by acquired somatic mutations and environmental factors. The microbiome has emerged as one such environmental factor, shedding light on previously unexpected mechanistic connections between microbial colonization and neoplastic transformation. For instance, selected commensals can colonize solid tumors, and the 'tumor microbiome' can influence the local immune milieu essential for anti-tumor immunity or malignant transformation. The efficacy of anti-cancer treatment is also influenced by the intestinal microbiome and its metabolite, especially in the cancer treatment areas such as immune checkpoint blockade or CAR-T cell therapy.

The Research Division "Microbiome and Cancer", a bridging division between DKFZ Heidelberg and the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, headed by Professor Eran Elinav, studies the cross-talk between cancer cells, immune cells, microbial colonization, and other environmental factors. We investigate how individual bacteria, microbial consortia or microbial perturbations through diets or xenobiotics interplay with metabolic disruption and chronic inflammatory responses to impact carcinogenesis or metastasis in a variety of preclinical models. We also study the longitudinal cross-talk of cancer therapies with the gut microbiota in patients and in mouse models to investigate causal relations, e.g. by direct bacterium-host cell interactions or via microbial metabolites.

We use well-established, cutting-edge wet-lab techniques combined with bioinformatic tools to sequence and analyse the microbiota in diverse cancer-related contexts. We cover the whole range of microbiome analyses, from bacteria to fungi, both with high-resolution metagenome sequencing techniques. This approach is combined with multi-omics characterization of the host’s immune system on the level of individual cells by single-cell RNA sequencing and proteome or metabolome analyses. In order to transfer this knowledge back into the clinic for the benefit of patients, we perform precision medicine-based clinical studies with patient microbiota interventions using specific dietary modifications or microbiota transfers.

Ihre Aufgaben: 

We are looking for two qualified and motivated research technicians (BTA, MTA, Biologielaborant:in or similar) to support in vivo and in vitro experiments on several projects focused on the role of the microbiome in cancer development and progression. The candidates will be trained in and responsible for the generation and maintenance of next-generation patient-derived in vitro culture models, including organoids and isolated bacterial strains. The candidates will furthermore take care of research animals following standard operating procedures and according to animal welfare regulations. Additionally, the candidates will learn and apply a variety of laboratory techniques, such as DNA/RNA isolation and purification, protein extraction, genotyping by PCR, sample preparation for downstream analyses, and flow cytometry.

Tasks/responsibilities will include:

• Generation and maintenance of human tumor organoid lines
• Derivation of patient-specific bacterial strains
• Support of standard laboratory techniques, including DNA/RNA isolation and FACS
• Collecting, handling/processing, and storing of biological samples (e.g., patient feces, blood, tissue) according to standard protocols
• Regular monitoring of animal health and data recording (such as animal weight, behavior, vital signs, tumor growth)
• Performing basic procedures on animals (including weighing, oral gavaging, injections, dissection)
• Operating sensitive equipment to analyze samples or substances, conducting tests and reporting results
• Recording and analyzing data

The ideal candidates will have previous experience of working with in vivo animal models, and will be passionate about contributing to cutting edge translational research projects. After a thorough training by our scientific staff members, the candidate should be able to implement a variety of laboratory techniques using standard protocols.

Ihr Profil:

Required:

• Education/training as lab technician or technical assistant (BTA, MTA, Biologielaborant) or comparable, e.g. an undergraduate (BSc) degree in laboratory sciences, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, or a related field from an accredited university or technical school
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Reliability and flexibility
• Structured, independent, and careful way of working
• Written and oral communication skills (English)

 
Advantageous:

• FELASA function A certificate (former FELASA B certificate)
• Proven working experience with animal models
• Hands-on working experience with cell-culture (maintaining cell lines, establishing primary cell cultures) and/or molecular biology techniques (DNA/RNA isolation, PCR) would be an advantage
• Written and oral communication skills (German)

Unser Angebot:

Sie sind interessiert?

 ​Befristung: Die Stellen sind zunächst bis 31.01.2027 befristet. Eine Verlängerung ist möglich.

Bewerbungsschluss: 01.10.2025

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Wir sind davon überzeugt: Ein innovatives Forschungs- und Arbeitsumfeld lebt von der Vielfalt seiner Beschäftigten. Daher freuen wir uns über Bewerbungen von talentierten Menschen, unabhängig von Geschlecht, kulturellem Hintergrund, Nationalität, ethnischer Zugehörigkeit, sexueller Identität, körperlichen Fähigkeiten, Religion und Alter. Menschen mit Schwerbehinderung werden bei gleicher Eignung bevorzugt.

 

Hinweis: Wir unterliegen den Vorschriften des Infektionsschutzgesetzes (IfSG). Deshalb müssen alle unsere Beschäftigten einen Immunitätsnachweis gegen Masern vorlegen.

 

 

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