We are looking to support our rapidly growing team as soon as possible: Postdoctoral staff scientist position (f/m/x) at the Department of Medicine University of Cologne

Cardio-Oncology, Single-cell & spatial omics in cardio-oncology

TV-L: 38,5 h/week (100%)
limited to 3 years, corresponding to the duration of the project funding, and is subject to the provisions of the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG)
Salary is in accordance with pay grade E13 TV-L

Your tasks

We are looking for candidates with a strong background in single-cell and/or spatial immunoprofiling and experience in bioinformatic analysis of -omics datasets to interrogate immune system alterations. In close collaboration with scientists and clinicians from the Clinic I for Internal Medicine/Oncology department, the candidate will test established mouse models of cardio-oncology and aim to collect clinical specimens. The task focuses on identifying immune cell alterations in the tumor post cardiovascular injury and, vice versa, the tumor-induced changes on cardiovascular disease. With this data, we aim to elucidate the interplay between the failing heart and the growing tumor. In this role, you will help establish and drive the experimental and computational framework of the project, including developing single-cell and spatial omics pipelines, generating, analyzing, and integrating multi-omic datasets while collaborating closely with clinicians and interdisciplinary partners. The ideal candidate has the ability to work independently in an interdisciplinary environment and will engage in training and supervision of undergraduate and medical students. 

Your profile

We are seeking talented scientists with a PhD in immunology, biomedical science, bioinformatics, computational biology or a related field, ideally with a strong track record of publications and proven experience with single-cell data and immune cell analysis (e.g., scRNA-seq; spatial or epigenomics is a strong plus). Basic knowledge of the immune system is required. Programming skills in R and/or Python as well as an interest in or willingness to engage in wet-lab work (sample preparation, mouse handling) are required. Prior experience with mouse handling is desirable (e.g. FELASA-certification). The working language is English, and excellent scientific writing and oral communication skills are essential.

Our offer

• Everything but ordinary: You can expect a secure job in a challenging, innovative environment – including company pension schemes and regular working hours without business trips.
• Work-life balance: Whether full-time or part-time, with or without children – with numerous support options, we will find the right path together.
• Team spirit in R(h)ine culture: You will be warmly welcomed by an interdisciplinary team that values mutual respect and helpfulness.
• Strong perspectives: We offer extensive training opportunities – so you can continuously grow and set new goals.

Your future with us

We are one of the leading university hospitals in Germany and network research, teaching and health care at the highest level. That's why many things are a lot bigger for us: the spectrum of exciting development opportunities. The limitless openness with which specialists from all over the world work together here. Or our commitment as an employer to support all employees as best we can in reconciling their job with their goals and life situations.
This is the University Hospital of Cologne: Everything but ordinary.

Your future in detail

A position is available jointly offered by the AG Riffelmacher and AG Winkels at the Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Germany, to investigate immune cell biology at the interface of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Our research focuses on the bidirectional interplay between cardiovascular injury and malignancy, examining how immune responses shape post-cardiovascular disease tumor development and how cancer and its therapies affect cardiac inflammation, remodeling, and repair. We combine mechanistic studies in mouse models with translational analyses of human samples to define immune pathways that drive disease progression or tissue regeneration, with the goal of developing new immunologically informed strategies for cardio-oncology.
Applications from female candidates are expressly welcome and will be given priority in the event of equal suitability, competence and professional performance. People with disabilities are welcome to apply and will be treated preferentially in the event of equal suitability and qualification. The position is suitable for staffing with part-time employees.

Contact

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Thomas Riffelmacher
Tel: +49 151-70216874
Universitätsklinikum Köln AöR
Geschäftsbereich Personal
Kerpener Str. 62
50937 Köln

Uniklinik Köln Karriere Application deadline: August 30, 2026
Job-ID: glg7eyo6
We look forward to receiving your application and getting to know you!