Bioinformatician / Postdoc - Microbiome Research

A new working group in the field of clinical microbiome research is currently being established at the Fraunhofer-Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP in Frankfurt am Main. This group encompasses a research platform focused on the development of microbiota-based therapies. Within this group, the bioinformatic analysis of data sets and, in particular, the development of prediction models for complex microbial communities and their interactions will play a central role. Accordingly, we are looking for a bioinformatician as a postdoc to support our interdisciplinary team.

What you will do

Microbiome analysis and integration of -omics and clinical data

• Fusion and integration of -omics data with clinical data
• Complementary metagenomic analysis of existing samples from biobanks and collections
• Execution of statistical and bioinformatic analyses of complex data sets in a medical context

Development of new bioinformatic tools and analysis strategies

• Application of established bioinformatics tools and solutions, including those for predicting nutrient competition among microorganisms and other mechanisms of colonization resistance
• Development of new analysis strategies, tools, and predictive models to support the group’s objectives
• Validation and benchmarking of these tools and models using various data sets
• Application of the developed solutions to identify potential Live Biotherapeutic Products (LBPs)

Support of the working group

• Organization and management of data from microbiome studies, including quality assurance and data preparation
• Documentation, visualization, and publication of research findings in scientific journals as well as presentation in lectures and conferences
• Assistance in securing third-party funding and preparation of grant proposals for clinical studies

What you bring to the table

• A scientific degree in bioinformatics, biology, or a comparable field and a completed PhD or (at the time of application) submitted PhD, ideally with a strong focus on health sciences
• Solid knowledge of programming languages such as Python, R, and Bash; additional experience with high-performance computing (HPC) is an advantage
• Experience in analyzing sequence data (e.g., tools like QIIME2, MetaPhlAn, Kraken, or HUMAnN) and proficiency with MS Office
• Understanding of microbiological or molecular biological fundamentals
• Interest in the human microbiome and clinical research
• Advantageous: Experience in project and data management
• Good command of German and English (spoken and written)
• A high level of initiative and team spirit

What you can expect

• Opportunity for scientific work in a highly innovative and patient-relevant topic
• Integration into a competent, friendly, and committed team
• A collegial work atmosphere and the freedom to implement your own ideas
• Flexible working hours (flexitime model), remote work options, as well as various support measures to balance private life and career
• Excellent professional and personal development opportunities through a variety of internal training programs
• 30 days paid annual leave, plus Christmas and New Year's Eve as company holidays
• Personal retirement benefits (VBL) and additional (social) benefits of public service, such as annual special payment
• Capital-forming benefits
• Subsidies for public transport (Deutschlandticket)
• Corporate benefits: offers from well-known manufacturers and brands
• Access to the extensive Fraunhofer network

We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation, and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability.

The weekly working time is 39 hours. This position is initially limited to 2 years and is also available on a part-time basis. Appointment, remuneration, and social security benefits are based on the public-sector collective wage agreement (TVöD). Additionally, Fraunhofer may grant performance-based variable remuneration components.

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future.

Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you!

Ms. PD Dr. med. Lena Biehl

lena.biehl@itmp.fraunhofer.de

Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP

www.itmp.fraunhofer.de

Requisition Number: 77775 Application Deadline: