Postdoctoral Fellow in Mechanisms of Cancer Evolution
Reference number: 2024-0230
- Heidelberg
- Full-time
- Regulatory Genomics and Cancer Evolution
“Research for a life without cancer" is our mission at the German Cancer Research Center. We investigate how cancer develops, identify cancer risk factors and look for new cancer prevention strategies. We develop new methods with which tumors can be diagnosed more precisely and cancer patients can be treated more successfully. Every contribution counts – whether in research, administration or infrastructure. This is what makes our daily work so meaningful and exciting.
The Division of Regulatory Genomics and Cancer Evolution (headed by Prof. Dr. Duncan Odom) at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is seeking a
LAB PHILOSOPHY. The Odom laboratory uses cutting-edge experimental genomics tools - including spatial transcriptomics, nanopore and other long-read sequencing, and cell multiomics - to explore mutagenesis, cancer initiation, and development. We pursue an integrative and collaborative approach, working closely with allied computational research groups across Heidelberg.
For more information on Odom laboratory research, please see:
https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?hl=en&user=I4QxyoQAAAAJ
Your Tasks
PROJECT ON OFFER. We are specifically seeking a candidate to lead a team of advanced technicians to undertake a large-scale, prospective analysis of how sex shapes mutagenesis and cancer inception. This project builds on our pioneering development of chemical carcinogens as a powerful strategy to analyze cancer inception in mice (Connor et al J Hepatology 2018). Early work using this system revealed a novel mechanism of cancer formation known as lesion segregation (Aitken et al Nature 2020) and dissected the interplay of repair and damage at single-strand resolution (Anderson et al Nature 2024). This project will create and analyze cancer genomes formed in female mice, as well as exploit the four core genotypes model to decouple the influence of hormones and sex chromosomes (Panten et al Nature Comms 2024). By using cutting-edge spatial mapping of single-cell transcriptomes, we will analyze how the sex-specific microenvironment shapes tumorigenesis.
DUTIES. This project will require strong and collaborative leadership to organize Odom laboratory technicians and computational collaborators (and potentially clinical partners) into an effective research team. The post holder will be responsible for project management, method development and optimization, collection and analysis of novel and large genomic datasets. The training we provide in this multi-disciplinary team environment is uniquely well-suited to nurturing scientific independence, leadership, and maturity.
Your Profile
DESIRED CANDIDATE. We are seeking an experimentally-focused postdoctoral research fellow with extensive molecular biology and genomics expertise to join our efforts, who is collaborative, ambitious, meticulous, scientifically adventurous, and curiosity-driven. Prior research experience in single-cell methods, transcriptional regulation, cancer genomics, epigenetics, evolutionary biology, bioinformatics, and/or comparative genomics would be advantageous; we also encourage applications from accomplished graduate students seeking to switch research fields.
We Offer
Excellent framework conditions: state-of-the-art equipment and opportunities for international networking at the highest level
Remuneration according to TV-L incl. occupational pension plan and capital-forming payments
30 days of vacation per year
Flexible working hours
Possibility of part-time work
Family-friendly working environment
Sustainable travel to work: subsidized Germany job ticket
Our Corporate Health Management Program offers a holistic approach to your well-being
Develop your full potential: access to the DKFZ International Postdoc Program and DKFZ Career Service with targeted offers for your personal development to further develop your talents
Are you interested?
Then become part of the DKFZ and join us in contributing to a life without cancer!
Prof. Dr. Duncan Odom
Phone: +49 (0)6221/42-3446
We are convinced that an innovative research and working environment thrives on the diversity of its employees. Therefore, we welcome applications from talented people, regardless of gender, cultural background, nationality, ethnicity, sexual identity, physical ability, religion and age. People with severe disabilities are given preference if they have the same aptitude.
