PhD Position (m/f/d)

The Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association aims to transform tomorrow’s medicine through our discoveries of today. At locations in Berlin-Buch, Berlin-Mitte, Heidelberg and Mannheim, our researchers harness interdisciplinary collaboration to decipher the complexities of disease at the systems level – from molecules and cells to organs and the entire organism. Through academic, clinical, and industry partnerships, as well as global networks, we strive to translate biological discoveries into applications that enable the early detection of deviations from health, personalize treatment, and ultimately prevent disease. First founded in 1992, the Max Delbrück Center today inspires and nurtures a diverse talent pool of 1,800 people from over 70 countries. We are 90 percent funded by the German federal government and 10 percent by the state of Berlin.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated molecular or cell biologist to join our DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre SFB 1550 “Molecular Circuits of Heart Disease” in Heidelberg.

The position is part of the project “Transcriptional Reprogramming of Cardiomyocytes in Bioengineered Microenvironments”, which is conducted in close collaboration with the laboratory of Christine Selhuber-Unkel. The project focuses on understanding how inflammatory and metabolic signals influence the function and epigenetic state of cardiomyocytes, thereby contributing to a better understanding of how cardiometabolic syndrome affects heart muscle cells.

As part of the project, you will develop and apply innovative models based on human stem cells and bioengineered cardiomyocytes to investigate and characterize cardiac cells at high resolution under fully defined conditions. You will combine state-of-the-art approaches from molecular and cell biology, bioengineering, high-content imaging, and CRISPR/Cas-based transcriptional engineering. The aim is to identify disease-relevant signalling programmes and explore novel strategies to specifically modulate and potentially reverse disease-associated cellular states.

Job Description

• You will independently lead your research project, investigating how inflammatory and metabolic signals influence cardiomyocyte states, gene regulation, and epigenetic landscapes.
  
• You will establish, optimize, and characterize cardiomyocyte models derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) in both 2D and bioengineered 3D microenvironments.
• You will apply a broad range of molecular and cell biology techniques, including hiPSC culture and differentiation, molecular cloning, CRISPR/Cas-based genome and transcriptional engineering, immunoblotting, ELISA, qPCR, flow cytometry, and high-content microscopy.
• You will generate and analyze transcriptomic and epigenomic datasets, including RNA-Seq, ATAC-Seq, and ChIP-Seq or CUT&Tag.
• You will integrate high-throughput sequencing data with imaging and functional phenotyping to identify molecular circuits underlying cardiomyocyte stress responses and remodeling processes.
• You will investigate selected signaling and transcriptional regulators using genetic approaches such as CRISPR/Cas or shRNA, as well as targeted pharmacological approaches using small-molecule compounds.
• You will document, analyze, and interpret experimental results and critically evaluate them within the broader scientific context.
• You will present your research findings at internal meetings and seminars as well as national and international conferences.
• You will contribute to the publication of research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Requirements

• You hold a Master’s degree (M.Sc.) or an equivalent qualification in biology, molecular biology, cell biology, molecular medicine, biomedicine, or a related field from an internationally recognized university or research institution.
  
• You have sound theoretical knowledge of molecular and cell biology.
• You have hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture and the application of molecular biology techniques.
• Experience with hiPSC culture, cardiomyocyte differentiation, CRISPR/Cas-based methods, high-content imaging, or next-generation sequencing is an advantage.
• Knowledge of cardiology, immunology, epigenetics, bioengineering, or computational analysis of sequencing data is desirable.
• Ideally, you have experience in the generation, processing, or interpretation of transcriptomic and epigenomic datasets.
• You have a strong interest in scientific questions related to inflammatory signaling pathways, cardiomyocyte biology, and the molecular mechanisms of disease.
• You are motivated to establish and further develop innovative, human-relevant model systems under defined experimental conditions.
• You are characterized by an independent, structured, and team-oriented approach to work and enjoy working in an interdisciplinary research environment.
• You have very good written and spoken English skills and are confident communicating in an international scientific environment.

We offer

• international working environment with communication in English and German
• interesting career opportunities and a range of opportunities for further qualification and training
• Compatibility of family and career certified by the workandfamily audit (“berufundfamilie audit”)
• Support for "New Berliners" through the MDC Welcome & Family Office

You also benefit from:

• An international, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research environment at the interface of molecular and cell biology, cardiology, material science, and bioengineering.
• Participation in the CRC 1550 training platform, including skills courses, seminars, workshops, and journal clubs.
• Structured regular meetings with the project team and individual scientific supervision.
• Opportunities to develop an independent research profile and contribute to collaborative projects.
• Support for presenting research at national and international conferences.
• Opportunities to build scientific networks through national and international research consortia and professional societies, including the DZHK, DGK, ESC, and AHA.
• A stimulating research environment in Heidelberg, Germany.