Postdoctoral Researcher – Bioengineering Anticancer Therapeutics (f/m/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 scientists collaborate across disciplines to unravel the complexities of disease at the systems level – from molecules and cells to organs and entire organisms. Through strong academic, clinical, and industry partnerships, as well as global networks, we translate biological insights into innovations for early detection, individualized therapies, and disease prevention. Founded in 1992, the Max Delbrück Center is home to a vibrant community of 1,800 people from more than 70 countries.

Our diverse workforce is a core strength that inspires creativity and innovation at the Max Delbrück Center (MDC).
The MDC is committed to improving human health through transformative biomedical research. Our goal is to pioneer discoveries for preventing, treating, and ultimately curing disease.
The Kudryashev Group at the MDC combines structural biology, biochemistry and computational methods to understand mechanisms of transmembrane signaling.

The current position is a part of the Helmholtz Bioengineering Consortium, including genAI experts, structural and molecular biologists and clinicians to develop anticancer therapeutics by protein design.

Job Description

• Analysis of the fundamental principles of protein–protein interactions
• Design of protein binders to specifically influence these mechanisms
• Production of the designed proteins
• Biochemical and functional testing:
  • in vitro
  • in cells
  • in organoids
• Continuous optimization of the proteins using reinforcement learning
• Goal: development of preclinical candidates
• Long-term goal: establishment of a biotech spin-off

Requirements

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or Biophysics, Bioengineering, or a related field.
• Experience in recombinant protein expression and purification.
• Experience with cryo-EM/ET would be an advantage.
• Strong motivation to conduct translational research and interest in entrepreneurship.
• Communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Knowledge of coding or scripting tools is an advantage.

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:

• a remuneration in accordance with the collective agreement for the federal public service (TVöD-Bund), including additional company pension schemes
• Exciting science, outstanding scientific infrastructure, amazing colleagues
• State-of-the-art facilities with a experimental labs, access to world-class instrumentation. For cryo-EM: TFS Titan Krios + K3, a TFS Aquilos2 for cryo-FIB milling, high performance IT infrastructure.
• International working environment in an interdisciplinary group, working language is English. 
• a secure job
• flexible working hours and childcare support
• the possibility of mobile working
• an idyllic green campus, which is easily accessible by bicycle, public transport or car
• free use of Nextbike from the Buch S-Bahn station to the campus
• Subsidy for the job ticket as well as discounts in the campus canteen
• On-campus health and fitness center
• additional health benefits such as flu vaccination, eye test, ergonomics advice at the workplace