PhD Student – Bioinformatics/ Computational Biology (m/f/d)
starting on October 1st at the Institute for Computational Biomedicine.
Join our exciting mission to decode leukemic dormancy and plasticity in AML!
The research group of Dr. Junyan Lu at the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University, in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Irmela Jeremias, invites applications for a PhD student in Bioinformatics / Computational Biology as part of the CRC1709-funded project "Plastic growth behaviour of patients’ AML in vivo: Releasing dormant cells from their protective niche.” We are an interdisciplinary and collaborative research team at the forefront of multi-omics data integration, cancer systems biology, and single-cell analysis, with strong links to clinical and translational oncology. Our work is based in the dynamic research environment of Heidelberg University, one of Europe’s leading biomedical institutions. This position focuses on unraveling the regulatory networks underlying dormancy and therapy resistance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Using advanced computational tools and single-cell multi-omics data (CITE-seq, proteomics, transcriptomics, methylation, metabolomics), we aim to: 1) Identify surface molecules specific to dormant leukemic stem cells; 2) Model AML plasticity at the single-cell level; 3) Propose candidate therapeutic targets for in vivo validation. The PhD student will be embedded in a collaborative and supportive team, working closely with a wet-lab PhD student from the team of Prof. Dr. Jeremias.
- Job-ID: V000014523
- Field of application: Medizinische Fakultät
- Location: Heidelberg
- Job Category: Science and teaching
- Working hours: Part time (65 %)
- Published: 22.07.2025
- Limitation: Temporary (3 years)
- Contract: TV-L
Your tasks
- Analyze bulk and single-cell multi-omics data generated from in vivo AML models
- Curate and integrate public datasets (e.g. scRNA-seq) to derive prior knowledge on AML dormancy
- Develop and apply integrative data analysis pipelines (e.g. MOFA, Scriabin, LIANA+, COSMOS) for mining and interpreting multi-omic datasets
- Perform ligand-receptor and network-based modeling of cell-cell interactions
- Communicate findings through presentations, publications, and consortium meetings
Your profile
- MSc in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Systems Biology, or a related field
- Strong programming skills in R and/or Python
- Experience with single-cell or multi-omics data analysis
- Interest in cancer biology, particularly leukemia, and therapy resistance mechanisms
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams
- Prior experience with network modeling or machine learning is a plus
We offer
- Possibility to publish scientifically is offered and supported
- Regular team meetings
- Interdisciplinary cooperation with wet-lab biologist and clinicians
- Attend domestic and international conferences
- Join the renowned PhD program at Heidelberg Biosciences International Graduate School (HBIGS)
- Collectively agreed remuneration, attractive company pension scheme (VBL)
- 30 days vacation
- Sustainable travel: job ticket
- Family-friendly working environment: cooperative arrangements for childcare, subsidy for child vacation care, advice for employees with relatives in need of care
- Wide range of health, prevention and sports offers
Interested?
Applications will be accepted until 20.08.2025 via online.
Medizinische Fakultät