The Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, W. G. Kerckhoff Institute, Bad Nauheim, Research Group Cellular Resilience (Group leader: Dr. Karin Ziegler) is seeking, at the earliest possible date, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (f/m/d), Reference No. 2025_23.

The Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research in Bad Nauheim is one of the leading research institutes in the field of biomedical science.

The Autonomic Research Group is a young and dynamic team investigating how the sympathetic nervous system senses and responds to disease-related stimuli. As key signaling hubs, sympathetic ganglia play a central role in coordinating these responses. Our research focuses on understanding how ganglia orchestrate adaptive and maladaptive remodeling processes during cardiovascular and other diseases. By uncovering the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying sympathetic dysfunction, we aim to identify novel therapeutic targets and strategies to restore autonomic balance.  We are seeking a highly motivated and curious individual who is eager to contribute to cutting-edge research and grow with our team.

Your responsibilities

• Develop, apply, and independently analyze next-generation sequencing and other multi-omics approaches
• Contribute to the preparation of funding proposals, fellowship applications, and scientific publications
• Present research findings at internal seminars and international conferences
• Stay up to date with relevant scientific literature
• Supervise and mentor junior scientists

Your qualifications

• A strong track record of scientific accomplishments is essential
• Prior hands-on experience in next generation sequencing (including single-cell or single-nucleus RNA sequencing) is highly desirable
• Familiarity with programming languages such as R or Python for data analysis is beneficial
• Expertise in RNA biology, neurophysiology, or neuroimmunology will be considered a strong advantage
• Excellent communication skills in English
• Ability to work effectively in a team and think creatively are highly valued
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior lab members (e.g., master’s or undergraduate students) is a strong asset and reflects the collaborative spirit we foster in our group

Our offer

We offer an inclusive and supportive work environment for talented and motivated individuals who are eager to learn and grow with us. Compensation and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Civil Service (TVöD-Bund).

The Max Planck Society is committed to increase the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Your application

If you are interested, please upload your complete application documents, containing a one-page letter with a personal statement describing your scientific accomplishments and your interests in our laboratory, your CV including list of publications, diploma certificates, as well as contact information for at least 2 references in electronic form via our online application portal. The deadline for applications is 30.11.2025.