Research Associate (m/f/d) - Translational Melanoma Research

Research Associate (m/f/d) - Translational Melanoma Research

(pay grade: EG 13 TV-L)

Work Area: Department of Urology - Research laboratory / Grünwald Lab
Job ID: 13784
Start Date: Next possible Date
Work Scope: part-time employment / 25,025 h
Contract Type: temporary
Contract duration: 30.06.2030; in accordance with § 2 (2) of the WissZeitVG for the duration of the project

The University Hospital Essen offers first class medical services in the Ruhr metropolis. Every year, 225.000 patients are treated in 30 clinics, 2 7 institutes and specialized centers. The over 8.000 employees offer medical care with state -of-the art diagnostics and therapies, which meet highest international standards. Patient care is connected with basic and translational research at an internationally competitive level.

Your tasks:

• Opportunity to conduct high-level interdisciplinary research within the newly established DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre CRC/SFB 1752 “DYNAMO – Immediate Tumor Dynamics in Melanoma Therapy”, investigating the earliest mechanisms of therapy resistance in melanoma during the first days and weeks after therapy initiation (“DYNAMO Window”); further information: https://www.unidue.de/crc1752
• Work in Project B02 “Microenvironmental drivers of constitutive HLA class II -positive melanoma cell states and their role in immediate therapy resistance”
  • Perform and integrate spatial and single-cell multi-omics analyses of functionally distinct immune niches within the melanoma tumor landscape
  • Develop and apply patient-derived co-culture, and fragment culture models to functionally dissect immune-modulatory mediators
  • Establish, optimize and/or perform cell type-resolved molecular analyses
  • Collaborate closely with computational and clinical consortium partners
• Prepare manuscripts and present results at international conferences
• Contribute to the translational development of advanced treatment strategies

Your profile:

We seek an independent and motivated scientist with strong analytical and collaborative skills:

• Completed Diploma or Master’s degree in cancer biology, molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, bioinformatics or a related field
• Strong background in tumor biology and/or tumor immunology
• Experience with cell culture, functional assays and microscopy
• Experience with or strong interest in spatial, single-cell, or multi-omics technologies
• Ability to analyze high-dimensional data (R, Python or similar)
• Interest in interdisciplinary translational research
• Independent problem-solving skills and scientific creativity
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills
• Very good English (written and spoken)

Desirable

• Experience in tumor microenvironment research and/or tissue -based analytics
• Experience with complex model systems (organoids, spheroids or similar)
• Knowledge of computational biology or image analysis

Look forward to:

• Cutting-edge research & technology innovative project:
  • Participation in a newly established DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre featuring a strong interdisciplinary translational focus
  • Access to state-of-the-art technologies
• Networking collaboration scientific community:
  • Integration into an interdisciplinary, internationally visible cancer research network
  • Diverse teams: daily interaction with professional colleagues across experimental, computational, and clinical research
  • Exchange opportunities: excellent avenues for close scientific collaboration and external career development
• Mentoring career development:
  • Structured guidance: continuous, high-quality mentoring tailored to your academic progression
  • Enrollment into the Graduate School for Biomedical Science ‘BIOME’ (https://www.uni -due.de/biome/)
  • Skill building: active participation in CRC events, lab rotations, hands-on workshops, and specialized training activities
• A secure job in the public service of the state of NRW
• Fair payment in accordance with the collective wage agreement (TV -L) incl. annual bonus payment and supplementary company pension scheme
• 30 days of vacation per calendar year (for a full-time position)
• Interdisciplinary work with colleagues from other departments
• Working with modern equipment and certified quality standards
• Family-friendly corporate culture, e.g. company daycare center, vacation program for school-age children, advice and support from the Employee Service Office in all life situations
• Wide range of training and continuing education opportunities, e.g. at the Training Academy of UK Essen
• Health Management, e.g. company integration management, vaccinations, promotion of sports activities
• Attractive fringe benefits, e.g. reduced-price canteen meals, community events, accommodation in student residences

General conditions:

• The pay grade classification depends on the personal and collective legal prerequisites.
• The University Hospital Essen is an equal opportunity employer. Female scientists are particularly encouraged to apply.
• The participation in secondary employment depends on the „Hochschulnebentätigkeitsverordnung“ of North-Rhine Westphalia.
• Disabled applicants will be preferentially considered in case of equivalent qualification.

Contact person and further information about the position:

You will find detailed information on the job advertisement and contact person s behind the button - Apply now: https://bewerbung-karriere.ume.de/Vacancies/13784/Application/CheckLogin/1