Scientist for Pancreatic Stem Cell Research (f/m/x)

Area of research:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Job description: Scientist for Pancreatic Stem Cell Research (f/m/x)

102992

Full time
39 hrs./week

Dresden

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

Institute for Pancreatic Islet Research (IPI)

has the mission to protect and restore the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas to prevent and cure diabetes mellitus. IPI is part of the Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden (PLID), which is a collaboration between the University Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine “Carl Gustav Carus” at TU Dresden and Helmholtz Munich, aimed at consolidating their joint activities in diabetes research. The goal of our institute as partner of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) is to make a significant contribution to the successful, personalized prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes mellitus through a novel, integrative research approach.

The

group of Professor Gavalas

investigates the role of signaling pathways and metabolism in endocrine pancreas development and the implication of adult pancreas progenitors in the development of pancreatic cancer. A key focus of the lab is the generation of vascularized islets derived entirely from human pluripotent stem cells and we are seeking a talented, motivated individual to participate in this endeavor.

Your tasks

• Investigate, as part of a team, the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into vascular cells and into pancreatic islet cells as well as their interactions to form vascularized islets.
• In addition to the culture and differentiation of hPSCs, also apply molecular analysis methods such as RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, and functional analyses of beta cells.
• Help establish advanced analytical approaches and routine transplantations of hPS-derived islets in the mouse.
• Allocate about 25% of the resources to laboratory administration.
• Use English as your working language in a well-equipped, international, and academically stimulating environment.

Your profile

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. degree in Biology or related disciplines.
• Extensive experience in cell culture, preferably with human pluripotent stem cells.
• A strong molecular biology background is required.
• Excellent organizational skills and interpersonal skills.
• Full command of English, written and spoken.

Desirable qualification

• Experience with mouse handling and genetics will be considered as an asset.

If you fulfill all the requirements, you may be eligible for a salary grade of up to E 13. Social benefits are based on the Collective Wage Agreement for Public-Sector Employees (TVöD). The position has an (initial) fixed term of 2 years but may be extended under certain circumstances.

Managing Director Mike Frieser: „We believe that diversity is the key to groundbreaking research and innovative solutions. Our flexible working models and remote options create a supportive environment for balancing work and family life. For us, contributing to a healthier society in such an inspiring workplace is truly meaningful.“

Get to know us

Benefits

• Career Development: Postdoc program, scientific training & career center with tailored offers
• Scientific Resources: State-of-the-art infrastruture and Core Facilities
• 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 Katja Pfriem, +49-351-796-36612, 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
• Contact details for at least two referees

30.09.2026

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)
Institute of Pancreatic Islet Research
Ingolstädter Landstraße 1
85764 Neuherberg

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.

Company

The Helmholtz Association contributes to solving major challenges to assure the future of our society. With more than 47.500 people on staff in 18 national Research Centers and an annual budget of more than 6 billion euros, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organization. The name Helmholtz stands for concerted research, in which networks form the key principle behind inquiring thought and action.

The profile of the Helmholtz Association

The Helmholtz Association performs cutting-edge research which contributes substantially to solving the grand challenges of science, society and industry. To succeed in meeting these responsibilities, Helmholtz concentrates its work in six research fields: Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Information, Matter, as well as Aeronautics, Space and Transport. Within each of these fields, research programs are developed by our scientists and regularly evaluated by renowned international experts. Their evaluation forms the basis for the program-oriented funding that is allocated to Helmholtz research. Within the six research fields, Helmholtz scientists cooperate with each other and with external partners – working across disciplinary, organizational and national borders.

Moreover, Helmholtz specializes in large-scale research infrastructures – from accelerator facilities, earth observation satellites, research ships to supercomputers. They form the basis for scientific advances in tackling global societal challenges. Managing national research infrastructure is part of the Helmholtz Association's mission.

Promoting young academics

Helmholtz scientists, a high-performance infrastructure and modern and efficient research management are the ingredients to the Helmholtz Association‘s success and global impact.
Promoting young researchers is a major priority for the Helmholtz Association. Its qualification schemes for young researchers are geared mainly towards PhD students, postdocs and young managers. The Helmholtz Association has set high standards for its talent management. Its strategy begins with targeted recruitment of highly qualified staff at all levels, followed by comprehensive support aimed at further developing their potential. Ensuring equal opportunities is an essential element in all talent management activities undertaken by the Helmholtz Association.

The Helmholtz Graduate Schools and Research Schools at almost all Helmholtz Centers provide doctoral students with the general and specific skills and training they need, as well as ample opportunity to network. The period following a doctorate is decisive in determining the direction and success of a scientific career. For this reason, we established Career Development Centers for postdoctoral researchers in the Helmholtz Centers. This equips young researchers with the skills they need to go on to head a Helmholtz Investigator Group , for example. As an Investigator Group leader, junior scientists can independently set up their own group to conduct research in their specialist field and acquire management skills.

Within its talent management strategy, the Helmholtz Association pays special attention to the increased recruitment of talented female scientists both from Germany and abroad. To this end, there are currently two funding programs supporting this policy: and Helmholtz Distinguished Professorship – Funding for the recruitment of leading international female scientists (W3) .

The increasing complexity of the content, structures and framework conditions of scientific work today requires researchers to organize their projects, their employees and, of course, themselves in a highly professional and effective way. In response to these demands, we have set up the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to provide leaders in science with professional management training. Furthermore, the Helmholtz network provides a platform for the alumni of the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to come together and share their experiences of leadership, career development and lifelong learning.

All of this combined makes the 18 Research Centers of the Helmholtz Association a highly attractive environment for talented researchers from all over the world.

Company info

Telephone

0049-30-206329-0

Location

Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2
Berlin
Berlin
10178
Germany