Computational Scientist/Bioinformatician (m/f/d)

The LIT - Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (foundation under civil law) (https://lit.eu) is a biome-dical research center focusing on translational immunology in the fields of cancer immunotherapy, transplant rejection and autoimmunity. The objective of the LIT is to develop innovative and efficient cellular immune therapeutics in these areas. Our own GMP laboratories and close networking with University and University Hospital offer excellent opportunities for clinical translation of novel immune cell products.

The research group Epigenetic Immuno-oncology (headed by Christian Schmidl) investigates gene regulation in the cancer immunology context by using cutting-edge (single-cell) omics and (epi-)ge-nome editing approaches. We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced

Computational Scientist/Bioinformatician (m/f/d)

with enthusiasm for academic research to join our team as a staff scientist. The position is full-time (40.1 hours per week) and initially limited to 3 years, but with the possibility for prolongation to pro-vide a potential long-term perspective.

The research group Epigenetic Immuno-oncology

Our group is dedicated to understanding how the non-coding genome orchestrates gene expression in immune and cancer cells. Our goal is to unravel the complex processes by which these cells interpret the myriad signals in their environment, shaping gene expression programs that drive cancer progression or anti-cancer immunity. We tackle this topic using a combination of bulk and single-cell omics approaches (e.g., Schmidl et al., Nature Methods 2015; Delacher et al., Immunity 2020; Riegel et al., Molecular Cell 2023) and functional genomic techniques, including single-cell CRISPR screens (“CROP-seq,” Datlinger et al., Nature Methods 2017) in both in vitro and in vivo cancer-immunology models. The ultimate aim is to translate our basic research findings into enhanced cell therapies, such as CAR T cells. Our international team currently consists of 4 PhD students, 1 postdoc, 1 technician, and undergraduate students. We are excited to welcome a highly motivated, curiosity-driven colleague to complete our team!

Job description:

• You will perform bioinformatical and statistical analysis of molecular profiling data including single cell and bulk NGS assays. In that regard, you will drive the development and implementation of new technologies, workflows, and pipelines, e.g. in the area of single-cell sequencing, multi-omics, mass spectrometry, and CRISPR screens.
• As part of an interdisciplinary environment, you will work together with bioinformaticians, biologists, biochemists, and physicians to shape ongoing and new projects in our lab and in collaborations within and outside the institute.
• You will have access and be integrated into NGS and Data Science Core Facility, which provides the computational framework of the institute. This integration will offer ample opportunities to further develop your skills and to contribute building the bioinformatic infrastructure of the LIT.
• You will support students in our group to conduct their bioinformatic analyses.

Requirements:

• You hold an academic degree (MSc/PhD) in a relevant field (e.g., Bioinformatics, Informatics, Computational Biology, Biostatistics, Data Sciences) preferably with a background in NGS analysis. Outstanding autodidacts with a wet-lab background are also welcome to apply.
• You are highly self-motivated and able to develop and pursue research projects independently as well as in collaborations with multi-disciplinary teams.
• You have relevant experience in statistical data analysis and programming (e.g. R, Python, Perl, C++) as well as workflow management systems (e.g. snakemake, CWL, Nextflow)
• You have knowledge of standard bioinformatics tools for analyzing and interpreting Next Generation Sequencing data
• You are proficient in written and oral command of English
• You are interested in cancer-immunology and eager to analyze complex multimodal (single-cell) omics and mass spectrometry data in that context

Experience in analyzing scRNA-seq/scATAC-seq as well as CRISPR screens / CROP-seq data is an advantage but not a requirement.

We offer:

• An international cutting-edge research environment that offers exciting and diverse opportu-nities
• Perspectives for further scientific qualification
• Possibility to visit international conferences and collaborating centers
• Flexible working hours
• Flat hierarchies and short decision-making processes
• A highly motivated and cooperative team
• Job ticket

The remuneration is based on TV-L.

The Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy targets to increase the share of women in the workforce. Therefore, qualified female candidates are explicitly encouraged to submit their applications. Moreover, the LIT advocates for the compatibility of family and career.

Disabled applicants (m/f/d) with equal qualifications will receive preferential treatment within the recruitment procedure. Please refer to your disability status already in your application.

Please note that expenses that may arise in the context of an eventual job interview cannot be reimbursed.

For more information, please contact Christian Schmidl (christian.schmidl(at)ukr.de). We are looking forward to receiving your application including a cover letter, CV, and certificates. Please apply via our homepage https://rci.hr4you.org/job/view/59 quoting the reference CS-2024-2. The application deadline is September 8th, 2024.