Technical Assistant – Translational Oncology / Immunotherapy / Genetic Engineering

The German Cancer Re­search Center is the largest bio­medi­cal re­search insti­tu­tion in Germany. With more than 3,000 employees, we operate an exten­sive scien­tific program in the field of cancer research.

The Junior Research Group "Pediatric Neuro-Immuno-Oncology" is seeking a Technical Assistant – Translational Oncology / Immunotherapy / Genetic Engineering.

(Ref-No. 2024-0055)

We are looking for a highly motivated Technical Assistant to join our growing Junior Research Group "Pediatric Neuro-Immuno-Oncology" led by Franziska Blaeschke. Our research group will launch in March this year and will use advanced Genetic Engineering to improve immunotherapy of solid tumors. While treatment with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells has shown great success in pediatric leukemia, CAR T cells are still inefficient in most solid tumors. We have recently pioneered the use of CRISPR-based modular pooled knockin screens to study which (synthetic or natural) gene products can be overexpressed in primary human T cells to enhance the efficacy and fitness of CARs (Blaeschke et al., Cell, 2023).

The Technical Assistant will use and advance cutting-edge technologies in the field of gene editing (e.g., CRISPR knockin, knockout, CRISPRa, base editing, prime editing) to study the interactions of CAR T cells with tumor cells and improve their efficacy in the context of solid tumors. The position will include a large variety of experimental methods and models, both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the Technical Assistant will help us establish and maintain our lab’s infrastructure (inventory, ordering, etc.) and closely collaborate with our postdoctoral researchers and students.

Your responsibilities:

• Performing complex experiments involving a large number of methods (e.g., cloning, CRISPR/Cas9, viral transduction, AAVs, flow cytometry, next-generation sequencing, xenograft and syngeneic models, primary cell culture, functional analyses such as cytokine release, proliferation, cytotoxicity, etc.)
• Establishing new experimental protocols and helping us build a great lab community
• Collaborating with postdoctoral researchers, students and other Technical Assistants
• Establishing and supporting the lab’s infrastructure (e.g., inventory, ordering, etc.)

• Qualification as BTA, MTA, biological laboratory technician or similar
• Excellent communication skills and social competence
• Team player who is motivated to closely work with postdocs, students and other Technical Assistants within the lab and beyond
• Strong laboratory skills and the ability to perform complex experiments in a systematic and accurate way
• Willingness to perform in vivo studies
• Previous experience in cloning, CRISPR/Cas gene engineering, viral transduction, CAR T cells, primary cell culture and in vivo models is helpful but not mandatory
• Proficiency in English and German (written and spoken)
• High level of enthusiasm, motivation and responsibility
• Effective time management and organizational skills

Please submit a motivation letter (1-2 pages), and a CV (including a publication list and contact information of two references, if available) in one single PDF.

• Excellent framework conditions: state-of-the-art equipment and opportunities for international networking at the highest level
• Compensation according to TV-L incl. occupational pension plan and capital-forming payments
• 30 days of vacation per year
• Possibility of part-time work
• Family-friendly working environment, e.g. parent-child room and advisory services
• Sustainable travel to work: subsidized Germany job ticket
• Unleash your full potential: targeted offers for your personal development to further develop your talents
• Our Corporate Health Management Program offers a holistic approach to your well-being

The position is initially limited to 2 years with the possibility of prolongation.

Important notice:
The DKFZ is subject to the regulations of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG). As a consequence, only persons who present proof of immunity against measles may work at the DKFZ.

Contact:
Dr. Franziska Blaeschke, phone +49 (0)6221/42-2965.

The DKFZ is committed to increase the proportion of women in all areas and positions in which women are underrepresented. Qualified female applicants are therefore particularly encouraged to apply.

Among candidates of equal aptitude and qualifications, a person with disabilities will be given preference.

To apply for a position please use our online application portal (www.dkfz.de).

We ask for your understanding that we cannot return application documents that are sent to us by post (Deutsches Krebs­forschungs­zentrum, Personal­abteilung, Im Neuen­heimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg) and that we do not accept applications submitted via email. We apolo­gize for any inconvenience this may cause.