PhD Candidate (f/m/x) – RNA Quality Control Lab

Research Field: Medical sciences

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Application Deadline: 31 Oct 2026 - 15:14 (UTC)

Country: Germany

Type of Contract: To be defined

Job Status: Other

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No

Offer Description

Area of research:

PHD Thesis

Job description:PhD Candidate (f/m/x) – RNA Quality Control Lab

102999

Full time

39 hrs./week

Neuherberg near Munich

At Helmholtz Munich, we develop groundbreaking solutions for a healthier society in a rapidly changing world. We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation. Through strong partnerships, we accelerate the transfer of new ideas from the lab to real-life applications, improving lives.

The Helmholtz Pioneer Campus (HPC) founded and funded by Helmholtz Munich stands for the intelligent fusion of biomedical sciences, engineering and digitization. At HPC, top scientific talents from across the globe work together on the development of novel solutions that make a difference in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

The RNA Quality Control lab studies what happens when RNA polymerase II fails to reach the end of a gene, and how the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) released by that failure drives disease. We work with a set of methods, we are expert in covering nascent transcriptomics, degron-based protein depletion, iPSC-derived neural models and we will train you in them.

In return, we anticipate that you deploy them well and understand what each experiment tests, and think critically about the results.

Your input will help shape our future research direction.

Your tasks

• Investigate how transcription elongation and termination failure generates immunogenic double-stranded RNA
• Build iPSC-based models using endogenous tagging and degron systems, and differentiate them into neural progenitors and neurons
• Generate and analyse your own data: nascent transcriptomics, RNA-seq, proteomics
• Design and interpret your own experiments
• Present at group meetings, institute seminars and international conferences, and write your work up for publication

Your profile

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in biology, biochemistry, molecular medicine or a related field, completed by the start date
• Solid experimental foundation in molecular biology and mammalian cell culture
• You are feedback driven: you can sense one clear guidance cue to change how you work
• Motivated to work at the bench and at the terminal; prior coding experience is not required, we will teach it
• Good written and spoken English

Desirable qualifications

• Experience with iPSC culture, neural differentiation or CRISPR genome editing
• Experience with next-generation sequencing or its analysis
• Familiarity with R or Unix
• Background in transcription, RNA biology, innate immunity or the stress response
• Interest in helping set the direction of a group in its first year

This position provides the opportunity for you to build specialist knowledge whilst developing key professional experience, both of which will help you to make strides in your scientific career.

Remuneration and social security benefits are based on the German Collective Wage Agreement for Public-Sector Employees at Federal Level (EG 13 50% TV EntgO Bund). In addition, there is also the possibility of receiving an allowance if the applicable conditions are met. The position has an (initial) fixed term of three years but may be extended under certain circumstances.

Above: healthy cells. Below: cells where transcription termination has failed, with double-stranded RNA (yellow) building up in the cytoplasm.

You will make these cells, treat them, and analyse the sequencing data that explains why they fail. No prior coding experience needed - we teach that part.

Illustration: Ella Maru Studio.

Benefits

• Career Development: Postdoc program, scientific training & career center with tailored offers
• Recreation: 30 days annual leave, flexi days, plus public holidays
• International Staff Service: Support with the relocation and integration process in Germany
• Health Promotion: Sports, company doctor, mental health initiatives

Interested in applying?

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Dr. Apoorva Baluapuri, apoorva.baluapuri@helmholtz-munich.de, who will be happy to help.

Our recruiting is decentralized - your application will be reviewed directly by the specialist department in which you could work in the future.

More information about our application process

Please send your application only via our online application tool and with the following documents:

• CV
• Cover letter
• Degrees/Diplomas/Certificates
• Contact details for at least two referees

If you have obtained a university degree abroad, we will require further documents from you regarding the comparability of your degree by the time you start work at the latest.

Please request the Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications as early as possible.

We are committed to promoting a culture of diversity and welcome applications from talented people regardless of gender, cultural background, nationality, ethnicity, sexual identity, physical abilities, religion or age. Qualified applicants with physical disabilities will be given preference.

Learn more about diversity at Helmholtz Munich

Our commitment

Helmholtz Munich

Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH)

Helmholtz Pioneer Campus

Ingolstädter Landstraße 1

85764 Neuherberg

Learn more about how we use AI in recruiting.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.

Where to apply

Website: https://jobs.helmholtz-muenchen.de/jobposting/8ace8de0744ea6e1d918ad625dbc5e895b7c526d

Additional Information

Website for additional job details: https://jobs.helmholtz-muenchen.de/jobposting/8ace8de0744ea6e1d918ad625dbc5e895b7c526d

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Helmholtz Zentrum München - Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt

Country: Germany

City: Neuherberg (bei München)

Contact

City: Neuherberg

Website: https://www.helmholtz-muenchen.de

Street: Ingolstädter Landstraße 1

Postal Code: 85764

E-Mail: presse@helmholtz-muenchen.de

Phone: +49 89 3187-0

Fax: +49 89 3187-3322