Postdoctoral researcher in tissue mechanics and gene regulation (f/m/d)
postdoc / scientific staffThe Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Association is an international biomedical research center dedicated to understanding the molecular mechanisms of health and disease with the goal to devise new diagnostics and medicines. The MDC is a member of the Helmholtz Association, Germany's largest scientific organization, and offers an engaging research environment with cutting-edge research infrastructure. Currently, ~1250 employees and ~500 guest scientists work at the Berlin-Buch and Berlin-Mitte campuses. Our diverse workforce is a core strength that inspires creativity and innovation at the 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 Robson lab's goal is to understand how chromatin regulates gene expression and how this is disrupted in disease. We tackle this by combining single cell multi-omics and genome engineering with mouse and organoid models of disease.
The "Chromatin (Dys)function in disease"- group offers an exciting opportunity to explore an essential question: How do mechanical forces impact chromatin to regulate genes and cells? To do so, you will develop approaches that apply mechanical forces in organoids and mouse tissues and multi-omic methods that map the consequences for chromatin, genes and cells.
Job Description
Mechanically active cells such as muscle frequently experience physical forces that are transmitted directly to the nucleus. Yet, how this impacts chromatin and its elaborate structure to regulate gene expression or cause disease remains largely unknown.
The successful candidate will now address this by further developing genomics technologies (e.g. scDam&T) that simultaneously map protein:chromatin interactions and transcription in a single cell. We will then use these methods to explore the impact of physical force on chromatin, genes and cells in mechanically active cells from mice and neuromuscular organoids. We will particularly focus on investigating how disrupting force transmission contributes to muscular dystrophy.
Requirements
We are looking for a creative and enthusiastic Postdoc (m/f/d) with in-depth experience in chromatin biology, gene regulation, and genomics (wet-lab & computational). Prior experience in single cell genomics, mechanobiology, technology development, and organoid derivation is also strongly encouraged. Mice will also be a key model and so experience designing and performing animal experiments is advantageous.
As a new group, the postdoc will be expected to take a senior leadership role in directing and designing projects, supporting fellow lab mates and working in a team. The project will also be a interdisciplinary international collaboration and so the candidate must have excellent communication skills and be fluent in oral and written English.
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
- On-campus health and fitness center
You also benefit from:
- a remuneration in accordance with the collective agreement for the federal public service (TVöD-Bund), including additional company pension schemes
- flexible working hours and childcare support
- an idyllic green campus, which is easily accessible by bicycle, public transport or car
- a secure job
- Subsidy for the job ticket as well as discounts in the campus canteen
- additional health benefits such as flu vaccination, eye test, ergonomics advice at the workplace
- free use of Nextbike from the Buch S-Bahn station to the campus
