WE ARE LOOKING FOR A

Postdoc investigating chromatin regulation (m/f/div)

The Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Freiburg (Germany) has an opening for a postdoctoral position in the research group of Dr. Asifa Akhtar (https://www.ie-freiburg.mpg.de/akhtar).

The position is to be filled as soon as possible and is initially limited for three years.

YOUR TASKS:

We are looking for an independent and motivated postdoctoral scientist interested in exploring chromatin and gene regulation by epigenetic mechanisms such as histone acetylation and/or long noncoding RNA. For this we seek applicants with a strong background in design and bioinformatic analysis of next-generation sequencing-based experiments. The recruited scientist will apply a combination of methodologies, including bulk and single-cell transcriptomics, chromatin immunoprecipitation, chromosome conformation profiling (e.g. HiC, Micro-C, PLAC-seq/HiChIP), Nanopore long-read RNA/DNA sequencing, live-cell imaging, proteomics, metabolomics and/or other techniques, as appropriate.

YOUR PROFILE:

Applicants should have an academic degree in life science plus a PhD in life science, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and/or bioinformatics
Multiple years of experience in analysis and integration of NGS data, including bulk and single-cell RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, HiC, and WGBS datasets, are required
Experience in culture of mouse ESCs, standard molecular biology, and biochemistry techniques is required
Experience with CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genomic perturbations would be an advantage
Applicants should have at least one first-author publication
The ability to work in a team, communication skills, and experience in the supervision of students would be assets

WE OFFER:

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 E13 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.
Catering provided facilities within walking distance
Dual-Career-Support and Welcome-Service
Family-friendly offers (affiliated day care center at the institute, parent-child room, breastfeeding room)

Max Planck Institute of
Immunobiology and Epigenetics
HR Department
Stübeweg 51
79108 Freiburg
Germany

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Have we sparked your interest? Please apply with your complete application documents (letter of motivation, curriculum vitae, certificates) via our at until 08 Oktober 2026.

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 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.

Max Planck Institute of
Immunobiology and Epigenetics
HR Department
Stübeweg 51
79108 Freiburg
Germany