Leibniz Institute DSMZ–German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig

in the Department of Human and Animal Cell Lines at the Leibniz-Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH. The position is offered full-time with a salary level of E14 (TV-L).

The department Human and Animal Cell Lines conducts research with cell lines and hosts the DSMZ open cell lines collection. This includes quality controls and distribution of cell lines to researchers worldwide. Our collection currently harbours more than 900 established cell lines, about 700 being of human origin with a special focus on cell lines of hematologic malignancies. Cell culture, virus and mycoplasma diagnostics, as well as authentication, are an integral part of both quality control and biosafety. These techniques are routinely applied in the department and offered as external service, which is highly valued by customers and colleagues.

Your duties as group leader will include both development and implementation of your own research projects and routine tasks related to the cell lines collection:

Research: We are looking for a passionate scientist to join our team with expertise in human cancer genomics with a focus on the use of human cell lines in their research. With this position you have the possibility to start your own research group and to profit of the wealth of human cancer cell lines in the DSMZ collection and the expertise in the department. At best you bring experience in high-throughput sequencing and analysis of human cell line models to understand perturbations in cellular signaling and function in human cancer. Close collaboration with the research focus areas of the department, leukemia & lymphoma, stem cell models and infection & immunity are desired and highly welcome. As group leader we expect you to recruit third-party funding for your research projects and to publish your work. We expect you to provide a research plan with your application.

Cell lines collection: Your working group will coordinate and supervise the genotyping service for internal and external authentication purposes. The provision of external services in cell line diagnostics includes communication with customers and the sales department and the issuing of official reports. We also expect you to contribute to the functional characterisation of cell lines in the collection, for example by establishing panels of cell lines for tumor entities and their comprehensive analysis by sequencing. Acquired data will be made available to customers and the research community via the web tool DSMZCellDive (https://celldive.dsmz.de/). Exploration of modern sequencing techniques with regard to cell line authentication will be appreciated.

Collaborative and Supportive Environment: You will collaborate closely with a great team of experienced scientists and technicians. Research and routine activities are highly interlinked between all members of the department creating a very supportive environment with a particular strength in teamplay. The lab is located at the Science Campus Süd of Braunschweig, which is well equipped to support your research ambitions, including in-house sequencing capacities. Additionally, a broad national and international existing collaborative network offers chances for fruitful cooperation.

The Leibniz Institute DSMZ (www.dsmz.de) is an internationally-renowned biological resource center, research infrastructure, and service provider for academia and industry with one of the most diverse microbial and cell culture collections worldwide. It is funded by the State of Lower Saxony and the German Federal government and is a member of the Leibniz Association. The DSMZ strives to increase the proportion of female scientists and encourages female candidates to apply. Disabled applicants with identical technical and personal qualifications will be preferentially selected. The DSMZ is an equal opportunity employer, supports balanced work-life career development, and holds the certificate of the audit berufundfamilie®. In the case of degrees obtained abroad, proof of equivalence with a German degree must be enclosed. For further information, please refer to the website of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).

Group leader tasks:

• Establish your own research profile in the scope of human cancer / cell line genomics
• Acquisition of project-related third-party funding
• Supervision of theses (Bachelor/Master/PhD)
• Active cooperation with other working groups (internal and external)
• Supervision of the authentication service (internal and external), including communication with and consulting of customers
• Contribute to routine tasks in the cell lines collection (characterisation of cell lines)

Your profile:

• Ph.D. in biology or related discipline
• Minimum three years postdoctoral experience
• Profound expertise human cancer genomics and disease modelling
• Experience in cell culture and molecular biology
• Basic expertise in bioinformatics, programming and/or database administration would be an asset
• Proven track record of publications and in grant writing
• Strong communication skills, fluency in English and German and a collaborative spirit

We offer:

• Room to bring and develop your own ideas
• Possibility to start your own group
• Integration in a cooperative, experienced and highly motivated team
• Support by technical assistance and the in-house Bioinformatics, IT and Database department
• Flexible working hours
• Possibility for remote work, depending on feasibility

Contract length: 5 years (with possibility to convert into a permanent position after positive evaluation)

Work hours: 100%

Salary: according to E14 TV-L

Complete applications (including CV, letter of motivation, research summary, research plan, copies of certificates and two reference indications) should be sent by e-mail in one single pdf document with application number 15/25 to bewerbung(at)dsmz.de. Any questions regarding the position can be addressed to Prof. Laura Steenpass (laura.steenpass(at)dsmz.de).