Job Description

At the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, we combine the expertise of our employees to advance medical progress. Our research focuses on cell and gene therapy, drugs and vaccines, molecular and immune diagnostics, and other innovative fields. We provide a professional home for scientists, engineers, laboratory staff and administrative personnel who are committed to improving healthcare together. Would you like to help shape the future of medicine with us?

Be part of change

For our Proteomics research group, we are looking for a Scientific Researcher (all genders), at our Leipzig location to start as soon as possible.
The team analyzes proteins and proteome changes using mass spectrometry-based methods to identify biomarkers and to better understand molecular mechanisms in biological systems.

As a specialist with a focus on LC-MS/MS-based proteomics, you will design robust workflows from experimental design and measurement through to data analysis, thus providing the analytical foundation for clinically relevant projects. Your responsibilities will include:

• Planning, conducting and optimizing proteomics experiments, including specific sample preparation and the application of data-dependent (DDA) and data-independent (DIA) acquisition strategies
• Developing, validating and transferring HPLC-MS/MS methods, fine-tuning them (e.g. gradients, tuning, quality controls), and ensuring reliable operation and maintenance of LC-MS systems
• Analyzing complex proteomics datasets using tools such as DIA-NN, ProHarMeD and RStudio; performing biological interpretation of results using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, Cytoscape or comparable software
• Ensuring high data and process quality, preparing and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs), and complying with relevant regulatory requirements
• Preparing results for different target audiences, including scientific reports, presentations at national and international conferences, and publications in leading international journals
• Contributing your proteomics expertise to interdisciplinary preclinical and clinical project teams and supervising student theses (M.Sc., B.Sc., Diploma)

What you contribute

• A successfully completed scientific university degree (M.Sc./Diploma) in biochemistry, bioanalytics, analytical chemistry, or a comparable field, ideally with a doctorate
• Practical experience with proteomics studies (in planning, sample preparation, and analysis) as well as in the development of HPLC-MS/MS methods
• Routine experience in scientific data evaluation and interpretation using common software
• Confident written and spoken German and English skills for communication with national and international project partners
• You enjoy working in a team and like close professional exchange with colleagues. You are enthusiastic about networking within the scientific community and score points with your structured and independent way of working. Thanks to your strong organizational skills, you remain calm even when working on several projects at the same time.

What we offer

• Close collaboration with industry, combining creative research freedom with real value creation and social impact. You will help shape the medicine of tomorrow while gaining insights into Europe’s leading organization for applied research.
• Opportunities to actively shape your area of work and contribute your own ideas within a dedicated team and innovative preclinical and clinical projects.
• State-of-the-art infrastructure, including modern LC-MS equipment and excellent laboratory facilities.
• Support for your professional development through regular feedback meetings, extensive training opportunities and individual career programs.
• Flexible working hours, the option to work from home during data analysis phases, and a trust-based working time model for self-determined time management.
• Family-friendly support measures to promote work–life balance (e.g. parent-child office, on-site childcare facilities, and care and coaching services provided by the pme family service).
• Additional benefits including 30 days of annual leave based on a 5-day workweek (with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve as additional paid days off), an annual bonus, time off in lieu for overtime, an occupational pension scheme, capital-forming benefits, a subsidized Germany Job Ticket for public transport, free parking and secure bicycle parking with charging stations for electric vehicles, and discounted meals at the institute cafeteria.

Curious to learn more? Discover what makes working at Fraunhofer IZI special and what benefits we offer our employees here

The position is initially limited to two years. The weekly working time is 39 hours, and the position should be filled as close to full-time as possible. Employment, remuneration and social benefits are based on the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD). In addition, Fraunhofer may grant performance- and success-related variable remuneration components.

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. Our tasks are diverse and adaptable – for applicants with disabilities, we work together to find solutions that best promote their abilities.

Ready for a change? Then apply now online via our career portal and make a difference! Once we have received your online application, you will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt. We will then get back to you as soon as possible and let you know what happens next.

Do you have any questions about the position or the application process? We are happy to help:

Prof. Dr. Stefan Kalkhof
Head of Proteomics Research Group
E-mail: stefan.kalkhof@izi.fraunhofer.de
Phone.: +49 341/35536-1209

Lea-Sophie Fingerhut
Strategic HR Development & Recruiting
E-mail: bewerbung@izi.fraunhofer.de
Phone: +49 341/35536-9224

Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI

www.izi.fraunhofer.de

Requisition Number: 82703 Application Deadline: