“Research for a life without cancer" is our mission at the German Cancer Research Center. We investigate how cancer develops, identify cancer risk factors and look for new cancer prevention strategies. We develop new methods with which tumors can be diagnosed more precisely and cancer patients can be treated more successfully. Every contribution counts – whether in research, administration or infrastructure. This is what makes our daily work so meaningful and exciting.

For the next possible date the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is seeking a Head of an independent Junior Research Group in Target Screening and Immunoreceptor Engineering for Immunotherapy at NCT WERA (site Würzburg).

Reference number: 2025-0128

The National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) is a long-term cooperation between the DKFZ, excellent partners in university medicine and other outstanding research partners at various locations in Germany. With a focus on innovative clinical trials, the NCT enables new developments from the laboratory to be tested clinically quickly and to the highest standards, thereby making better diagnostic and treatment options available to patients. Special emphasis will be placed on personalized oncology, patient participation as research partners, rapid and fair patient access to advances in cancer research, and the training of future generations of clinical cancer researchers. The NCT has been expanded for this purpose. There are four new NCT sites in addition to Heidelberg and Dresden: Berlin, SouthWest (Tübingen/Stuttgart-Ulm), WERA (Würzburg with partners Erlangen, Regensburg, and Augsburg), and West (Essen/Cologne).

The NCT WERA is being established in collaboration between the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) as an alliance of the four universities and university hospitals of Würzburg, Erlangen, Regensburg and Augsburg. The four WERA partners cover a healthcare area of around eight million residents.

We are looking for a creative and highly collaborative Junior Research Group Leader to head an independent junior research group in the field “Target Screening and Immunoreceptor Engineering for Immunotherapy” at the NCT WERA (site Würzburg). The successful applicant should have interest in generating engineered immune cells and conducting clinical characterizations of tumor antigen expression (including receptors and/or ligands) for immunotherapeutic Investigator Initiated Trials (IITs), allowing stratification and continuous monitoring of response and resistance mechanisms. The junior research group will have excellent opportunities to benefit from the strong research and care environment of experienced immunologists and infrastructure at NCT WERA, and will interact closely with the experts in immuno-oncology, biomonitoring and advanced imaging at the other NCT sites and at DKFZ Heidelberg.

• PhD in life sciences and/or an MD degree in medicine
• Excellent postdoctoral research experience (max. up to 6 years), ideally in the field of target screening and/or immunoreceptor engineering
• Strong publication record
• Ability to manage and coordinate research projects and to develop ideas for IITs
• High motivation to independently initiate the acquisition of (national and international) third-party funding and interest in leading a growing research group
• Independent, self-reliant and responsible way of leading a research team including the mentoring of postdoctoral researchers and PhD / MD students
• Strong will to initiate collaborations and actively participate and contribute to activities of the local research community
• Verbal and written English language fluency and ability to work in an international research environment

Applications should include a CV, a list of publications and a max. 5-page research synopsis that summarizes current/past research accomplishments and outlines the candidate's research program for the next 6 years. Furthermore, applications should include contact details for their current supervisor and at least two senior, high-profile scientists with no conflict of interest who are willing to provide letters of support.

• Campus with modern state-of-the-art infrastructure, including access to large clinical datasets and sample collections
• Remuneration according to TV-L incl. occupational pension plan and capital-forming payments
• Attractive core funding for six years
• 30 days of vacation per year
• Flexible working hours
• Possibility of part-time work
• Family-friendly working environ­ment
• Sustainable travel to work: subsidized Germany job ticket
• Comprehensive further training program, options for mentoring and leadership programs
• Our Corporate Health Manage­ment Program offers a holistic approach to your well-being
• Administrative support for extramural grant application

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