Research Technician (BTA/MTA/CTA) (f/m/x) - RNA Quality Control Lab

103009

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 (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 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

• Run the lab's cell culture core: human iPSC maintenance, occasional neural differentiation, and standard cell lines
• Bring our established methods into the new lab: set them up, troubleshoot them, and document them so everyone can run them
• Generate and validate engineered cell lines (CRISPR knock-in, degron tagging, clonal isolation, genotyping, western blot)
• Assist in sequencing libraries for nascent transcriptomics (PRO-seq, TT-seq) and RNA-seq, and perform standard qPCR/immunoblot
• Own the practical infrastructure: ordering, stocks, equipment commissioning, S1/S2 documentation, inventories

Your profile

• Completed training as BTA/MTA/CTA, or a BSc/MSc in biology, biochemistry or a related field
• Independent hands at the bench - you get a method working when it does not transfer cleanly to a new setting
• Confident with mammalian cell culture and molecular biology fundamentals: cloning, PCR, RNA/DNA extraction, western blot
• Organized enough to maintain ordering, stocks and equipment
• Good written and spoken English

Desirable qualifications

• Experience with iPSC culture or neural differentiation
• Experience with NGS library preparation
• CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing experience
• German language skills (helpful for procurement, safety and administration)
• Experience in establishing a new method or setting up a lab

If you fulfill all the requirements, you may be eligible for a salary grade of up to E 10. Social benefits are based on the Collective Wage Agreement for Public-Sector Employees (TVöD). This position is for a fixed term of 1 year.

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.

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.

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.

Our commitment

Helmholtz Munich
Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH)
Helmholtz Pioneer Campus
Ingolstädter Landstraße 1
85764 Neuherberg