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 German Cancer Research Center is seeking a Team Leader Genome Research Infrastructure.

(Ref-No. 2024-0083)

The DKFZ is coordinating the German Human Genome-Phenome Archive (GHGA), a national data infrastructure dedicated to human omics data. GHGA is connected to major national initiatives including the German National Cohort (NAKO) and the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT). Internationally, GHGA serves as the German node both within the federated European Genome-Phenome Archive (EGA) and the European Genomics Data Infrastructure (GDI). The infrastructure will also play a key role in the national genomic initiative genomDE.

As part of the future roadmap of GHGA, we are looking to expand the functionality of GHGA to establish an integrated secure processing environment, offering a flexible and scalable solution to deliver genome informatics services to major national projects and initiatives. To achieve this, we seek to extend our existing team to design, implement and operate a genome informatics platform. It will build on substantial local expertise in cloud activities developed e.g. in the context of de.NBI. The new platform will be shaped specifically to address the needs of two lighthouse projects, namely the NAKO and the “ITCC (Innovative Therapy for Children with Cancer) International Data Integration Platform” coordinated at the Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ).

We are looking to appoint an experienced computer scientist, bioinformatician or candidate from other backgrounds with a proven track record in scientific data infrastructures. Suitable candidates will have the opportunity to lead an interdisciplinary team and to foster the conceptual and technical alignment between the NAKO and ITCC partners together with GHGA and other technical infrastructures and parties involved. The responsibilities include the development of novel technical concepts, the coordination of the software development and, where required, IT security concepts.

The position will be situated between the GHGA main office at DKFZ and the research group of Prof. Oliver Stegle (Division of Computational Genomics and Systems Genetics).

• Development and shaping of technical concepts for innovative data infrastructures for biomedical research and healthcare
• Development and operation of a secure processing environment for human omics research
• Development of data exploration and access tools
• Standardization and integration of bioinformatic workflows for clinical and research use
• Coordination of the interaction of technical working groups within NAKO and other stakeholders
• Contribution to the development (back-end / front-end) of pilot software
• Contribution to the development of IT security concepts for the secure operation of IT infrastructures for genomics data
• Collaboration with local and international developers

We offer you a senior position at the interface between leading initiatives in biomedical data science with a significant degree of independence and a strong perspective for a successful future career path.

Your possibilities:

• Be involved in the shaping of innovative, cross-border, IT infrastructures enabling innovative personal medicine approaches in Germany
• Get exposed to a plethora of fields ranging from AI-guided clinical decision making to modern web development technologies
• Work with an interdisciplinary team of experts bringing state-of-the-art biomedical research closer to clinics and patients
• Directly contribute to national and international organizations such as genomDE, Beyond 1 Million Genomes, the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH), the European Genome-phenome Archive (EGA) and ELIXIR shaping future of genomics across borders
• Widen your expertise with extensive possibilities of training programs, seminars and conferences

• PhD in computer science, medical informatics, bioinformatics, computational biology or similar background with a focus on bioinformatics or data science
• Alternatively, an MSc or equivalent qualification with complementary years of relevant experience in IT environments
• Previous experience in a similar role including the operation of data infrastructures in an academic or industrial setting, ideally in a cloud environment
• Extensive experience in IT and bioinformatics with relevant experience in the development, coordination and operation of data infrastructures, software development or cloud computing
• Excellent project management and communication skills proven in an academic or industrial setting are a prerequisite
• Experience in health research data management, including genomics data
• Experience in the communication with domain experts around health research data management, acquisition and sharing

The ideal applicant should have demonstrated the ability to work independently and creatively. The candidate should have excellent communications skills and be able to articulate the technical needs precisely, set clear goals and work within an interdisciplinary setting, while communicating with other external partners.

• Excellent framework conditions: state-of-the-art equipment and opportunities for international networking at the highest level
• Remuneration according to TV-L incl. occupational pension plan and capital-forming payments
• 30 days of vacation per year
• Flexible working hours
• Possibility of mobile work and part-time work
• Family-friendly working environment, e.g. parent-child room, advisory services caring for elderly relatives
• 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