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Jobbeschreibung

The Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics (MPI-IE) in Freiburg, Germany is an inter­dis­ci­plin­ary research institution that conducts basic research in two key areas of modern biology: Immunobiology and Epigenetics. Central questions address the molecular basis of cell type identities, as they are regulated during immune cell differentiation, metabolic response and epigenetic chromatin adaptation.

We are looking for a

Postdoc (m/f/div) in Bioinformatics

The Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Freiburg, Germany, is offering a postdoctoral position in bioinformatics in the Department of Chromatin Regulation (Head: Prof. Dr. Asifa Akhtar / max.mpg.de/sites/mpi-ie/Research-Groups/Lab-Akhtar.)

The lab generates large quantities of deep sequencing datasets, including RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, and Nanopore long read sequencing, which we analyze using a combination of adaptation of existing bioinformatic tools and development of new analysis tools. Members of the lab also con­trib­uted to the deepTools2 suite (Ramírez et al 2016, Nucleic Acids Research) and snakePipes package (Bhardwaj et al 2019, Bioinformatics) developed by the bioinformatics facility headed by Dr. Thomas Manke.

The position is available for an initial two-year appointment with the possibility of extension.


We are looking for an ambitious, highly motivated, science-driven, and experienced bioinformatician to join our team to unravel the molecular mechanisms that regulate gene expression. You will work closely together with wet lab scientists in the analysis of a broad range of NGS datasets. You will contribute your expertise in bioinformatics to advise wet lab scientists on design, implementation, troubleshooting, and analysis of sequencing-based experiments.


  • Applicants should have an academic degree in biology, bioinformatics, computer science, or a related scientific discipline
  • A PhD degree in bioinformatics or a PhD degree in biology of which bioinformatic analysis was a major component would be beneficial, but is not a requirement
  • Proficiency in programming in R and/or Python, Unix / shell scripts as well as the ability to build new tailored pipelines are prerequisites for this position
  • Candidates should have at least two years of proven experience in analyses of OMICS data (such as ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, bisulfite sequencing, and/or Hi-C)
  • Candidates must have a strong publication record and possess excellent communication skills
  • Candidates must be able to demonstrate the ability to collaborate with colleagues and work well in a team
  • Prior experience with analysis of single-cell RNA / ATAC / Multiome sequencing and/or long-read sequencing (e.g. Oxford Nanopore) data would also be highly beneficial
  • Experience in integration of genome-wide data with proteomics and/or metabolomics data would be a bonus

Located in a region that connects Germany, France, and Switzerland, our institute offers an international research environment with outstanding infrastructure facilities and a positive working atmosphere that places a high value on work-life balance.

  • Payment according to TVöD, up to a maximum of E 13 if the collectively agreed and personal requirements are fulfilled
  • Social benefits in line with public service (VBL)
  • Additional performance-related remuneration component
  • Professional training and development opportunities
  • Good public transport connections and subsidy for job ticket
  • Challenging work in a modern working environment
  • Mobile working at a location of your choice within Germany is possible up to a maximum of 40% of the regular weekly working hours in justified cases
  • Family-friendly offers (affiliated day care center at the institute, parent-child room, breastfeeding room)

We value and promote diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, so we welcome applications from all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from severely disabled people. We would also like to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented and therefore expressly encourage women to apply.

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