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.

A fully funded computational postdoctoral position is available in the Spatial Proteomics research group headed by Dr. Fabian Coscia at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC) in Berlin, Germany, as part of a recently awarded ERC Starting Grant, "Deep Spatial Proteomics: Connecting cellular neighbourhoods to functional states”.

The Coscia lab is undertaking basic and translational research projects to develop and apply innovative spatial proteomics methods for disease phenotyping. We work at the interface between computational spatial omics, single-cell mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics, multiplex imaging, and bioinformatics. We have recently co-developed Deep Visual Proteomics, a novel spatial discovery proteomics concept that integrates microscopic cell phenotyping with deep-learning based image analysis and global MS-based proteomics. This unique method was recently highlighted as a Nature Methods’ Method of the Year 2024. The candidate will further develop and apply this technology in the field of precision oncology and digital pathology through close collaboration with the Charité University Hospital and within the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK).
As a highly collaborative research group, we closely work with clinician scientists to better understand cancer treatment resistance mechanisms to targeted, chemo, or immunotherapies. Our long-term vision is to identify new therapeutic vulnerabilities, improve patient stratification and provide spatial proteomics data for Molecular Tumor Boards.

You will join a young and enthusiastic team of scientists working at the forefront of spatial proteomics and predictive systems medicine. You will have access to state-of-the-art instrumentation (single-cell mass spectrometry, high-resolution microscopy, next-generation sequencing) and artificial intelligence-guided computational workflows.

Job Description

• Develop computational image analysis and multi-omics data integration workflows using Python/R
• Integrate digital pathology data with omics data (e.g., MS-based proteomics, spatial proteomics)
• Develop and drive independent project ideas within the scope of the lab’s research
• Collaborate closely within the lab, across MDC, and with external partners
• Present and publish research findings, and actively pursue funding opportunities

Requirements

• PhD in bioinformatics, biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related field
• Background in bioimage analysis and spatial omics is welcome; a genuine interest in these areas is essential
• Ideally publication record as primary author (e.g.,ideally bioimage analysis, digital pathology workflows, multiplex immunofluorescence microscopy, mass spectrometry, or multi-omics data integration)
• Advanced Python and R programming skills
• Excellent communication skills in English.
• Scientific curiosity, independence, and a collaborative mindset

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
• a centrally funded postodctoral postion, initially for two years, with potential for extension
• Career development support, including encouragement and mentoring for competitive fellowship applications
• 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