Postdoc for the investigation of mixtures using organs-on-a-chip (f/m/x)

The following position is available immediately in the Pesticide Safety Division of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR):

Postdoc for the investigation of mixtures using organs-on-a-chip (f/m/x)

BfR independently prepares expert opinions and statements on issues of food, feed and chemical safety and consumer health protection in Germany on the basis of internationally recognised scientific evaluation criteria. It advises the Federal Government and other institutions and interest groups in these areas. BfR thus makes an important contribution to the protection of human health.

The position is part-time, with 65% of the regular weekly working hours (currently 25.35 hours) and should be used for a doctorate. Participation in the accompanying doctoral program me is compulsory. This serves to impart both scientific and methodological knowledge and offers the opportunity to regularly present doctoral projects in internal events and benefit from scientific exchange.

You can find information on the remit of the Department here on our homepage. The fixed term is based on the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act.

Tasks:

The assessment of mixtures and their toxicity remains a regulatory and scientific challenge. Microphysiological systems (MPS) are ideal to assess mixture toxicity across uptake barriers and provide a realistic setting to investigate multi-organ interaction. Therefore, they shall be established and applied to investigate realistic systemic co-exposure to food-borne toxicants and provide the experimental setting to unravel biochemical pathways of toxicity and interaction of the most relevant substances and mixtures in our diet. As a long-term goal, this work shall contribute to understanding low dose mixture effects and derive regulatory strategies to address them across multiple regulatory silos. The activities include in detail:

• Experimental work in vitro to investigate mixtures with human cell lines and organoids in microphysiological systems (MPS)
• Establish organoid and 3D cell culture in our laboratories
• Create a strategy to replace and minimise the use of fetal bovine serum in MPS and in vitro testing
• Development and application of chemical analytical methods
• Participation in the preparation of scientific publications and presentation of results at meetings and in expert panels
• Support in the supervision of practical laboratory work of PhD and Master’s students

Your profile

• University degree (Master's degree, diploma or equivalent) in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, food chemistry, toxicology, pharmacy or (veterinary) medicine or a comparable discipline
• Advanced knowledge in toxicology (e.g. through advanced training courses, relevant study programme or work experience)
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Flexibility, team spirit and the ability to work under pressure

Desired

• PhD in one of the above or a comparable discipline
• Experience in statistical analysis and programming languages, especially R
• Practical experience in cell culture including 3D cell culture or organoid systems
• Practical experience in chemical analysis
• Practical experience in organs-on-a-chip and MPS
• German language skills

What we can offer you

• Flexible working hours without core working hours
• 30 days’ annual leave (5-day week) plus 24 and 31 December as non-working days
• Attractive subsidy for the company ticket (Deutschlandticket Job)
• Possibility of hybrid working
• Very good connection to the public transport network
• Comprehensive further training opportunities for professional and personal development
• VBL company pension / Capital accumulation benefits
• Employee welfare (AWO) family service

Application process

Does this position appeal to you?

Please direct any questions in connection with the application process to [email protected].

(Please do not send applications to this e-mail address)

If you are unable to apply online, please send your application by post to:

Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung Personalreferat
Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10
10589 Berlin

Please address any questions about the area of responsibility to:
Dr. Denise Bloch: T +49 30 18412-56601 E-Mail: [email protected]
Dr. Tewes Tralau: T +49 30 18412-26000 E-Mail: Tewes. [email protected]

You will find more information on our homepage: bfr.bund.de/de/en/working_at_the_bfr

The BfR welcomes applications from people of all nationalities.

BfR is an innovative scientific institute offering family-friendly working conditions for which it was awarded the “audit berufundfamilie®” (work and family) certificate. BfR guarantees equal career opportunities for women and men. In the case of equal suitability, severely disabled applicants will be given preferential consideration and are only required to have a minimum level of physical suitability.