Job Description

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

Contact & Application

--------------------------


For further information please contact Dr. Junyan Lu via

e-mail

.

Interested?

Applications will be accepted until 20.08.2025 via online.



Medizinische Fakultät

Dr. Junyan Lu

Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3

69120 Heidelberg

junyan.lu@uni-heidelberg.de

Note: The UKHD is subject to the provisions of the Infektionsschutzgesetz. Therefore, a valid measles immunity certificate is required for all persons employed at the UKHD.



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Regardless of age, gender, sexual identity, disability, origin or religion, we offer everyone the same opportunities. If one gender is underrepresented in a particular area, we place particular emphasis on counteracting this imbalance. If they have the same aptitude, qualifications and professional performance, we give priority to people with severe disabilities when considering them for vacancies.