PhD Position in Molecular and Cell Biology of Cardiomyocyte Stress Responses and Epigenetic Regulation Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in Germany

PhD position in molecular biology, cell biology, cardiomyocyte biology, epigenetics, bioengineering, hiPSC models, CRISPR/Cas, transcriptomics, and high-content imaging at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, within the DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre SFB 1550 “Molecular Circuits of Heart Disease”. The project is based in Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany and is conducted in close collaboration with the laboratory of Christine Selhuber-Unkel.

The research project, “Transcriptional Reprogramming of Cardiomyocytes in Bioengineered Microenvironments,” investigates how inflammatory and metabolic signals shape cardiomyocyte function, gene regulation, and epigenetic state. The successful candidate will work with human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), bioengineered cardiomyocytes, and defined 2D/3D microenvironments, combining molecular and cell biology with sequencing-based and imaging-based approaches.

Key methods include hiPSC culture and differentiation, molecular cloning, CRISPR/Cas-based genome and transcriptional engineering, immunoblotting, ELISA, qPCR, flow cytometry, high-content microscopy, RNA-Seq, ATAC-Seq, ChIP-Seq or CUT&Tag, and functional phenotyping. The role includes independent project leadership, data analysis and interpretation, presentation at seminars and conferences, and contribution to peer-reviewed publications.

Eligibility highlights: a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in biology, molecular biology, cell biology, molecular medicine, biomedicine, or a related field; strong theoretical knowledge of molecular/cell biology; hands-on mammalian cell culture and molecular biology experience; excellent English; and an independent, structured, team-oriented working style. Experience with hiPSC culture, cardiomyocyte differentiation, CRISPR/Cas, high-content imaging, next-generation sequencing, cardiology, immunology, epigenetics, bioengineering, or computational sequencing analysis is an advantage.

Funding and conditions: fixed-term PhD employment with salary according to TVöD Bund up to E13 depending on qualifications. The position offers an international, collaborative environment, structured supervision, training through the CRC 1550 platform, and support for conference participation and networking.

Application deadline: 2026-10-02. Apply via the online portal with a cover letter, CV, transcript of records, two referee letters, and other relevant attachments. If you hold a foreign degree, include proof of recognition in Germany.