16.02.2026

Job description: 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.

The research group of Dr Hanna Hörnberg at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d) to study the modulation of synaptic translation in health and disease.

Our goal with this project is to understand how translational modulators can regulate distinct aspects of synaptic translation and how this is linked to synaptic function and, ultimately, behavior. We examine this using deep mass spectrometry combined with ribosome profiling and structural and functional synaptic assessment in in vivo and in vitro models.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to join a collaborative, diverse, and creative research team. Experience in molecular biology, data analysis, and animal experiments is an advantage. The successful candidate will apply molecular and omics methods, including proteomics and ribosome profiling, to investigate how translational modulators regulate distinct aspects of synaptic translation using genetic mouse models and primary neuronal cultures.

Job Description:

• Use molecular methods to characterize how distinct translational modulators affect the synaptic transcriptome, translatome, and proteome.
• Apply and further develop molecular biology tools to characterize subcellular translation, protein-protein interaction, and kinase function.
• Integrate and analyze multi-omic datasets.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners within a diverse and interdisciplinary research team
• Present and publish scientific results at conferences and in peer-reviewed journals

Requirements:

• Excellent doctoral degree in neuroscience, biochemistry, biology, or related discipline.
• Experience in molecular biology, biochemistry, and RNA biology; data science skills is an advantage.
• FELASA certification or equivalent animal certification is desirable.
• Ability to work independently and to supervise undergraduates and PhD students.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Benefits:

• 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 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

Team: Molekulare und Zelluläre Grundlagen des Verhaltens
Publication period: 11.12.2025 - 31.01.2026
Desired starting date: 16.02.2026