Postdoctoral Scientist Delivery Mechanisms for Oligonucleotides (m/f/d)

​Graduate  |  Temporary  |  Full-time  |  On-Site​

If you’re passionate about changing lives for the better, this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. In Research & Development, we’re continuously exploring innovative new treatment options to make a stronger, more positive impact on the lives of the patients we serve. You’ll work with talented colleagues in a state-of-the-art Research & Development environment, developing innovative medicines that change the life of patients for the better and help us make progress towards our vision of a world free of pain. Join us today, and discover the difference you can make.

For our 24 month Postdoc Programme, we are looking for top performers, lateral thinkers, visionaries, team players & creative heads! You will build up your knowledge and personal network while working on impactful projects. We offer you one-on-one-coaching’s by experienced leaders and trainings to support you in your personal and professional growth.

In Discovery Biology, we are seeking a Postdoctoral Scientist– Delivery Mechanisms expert to advance our understanding of the biological and cellular barriers that limit effective oligonucleotide delivery, with a focus on in vitro and imaging-based studies of oligonucleotide delivery to sensory neurons. This role, in tandem with a complementary chemistry-focused postdoc, will drive our center of excellence in delivery technologies within the Genetic Medicine group. Your work will use iPSC-derived and primary neuron models, such as DRG cultures and/or DRG explants, to examine cellular uptake, intracellular trafficking, and the effectiveness of lipid, peptide, antibody-receptor, and particle-mediated delivery systems. Additionally, this role will involve external partnerships with CROs to validate promising in vitro findings in vivo and evaluate different routes of administration to achieve efficient and selective delivery to sensory neurons in the DRG. The goal is to investigate the molecular, cellular, and anatomical barriers impeding the delivery of oligonucleotide cargos to sensory neurons and develop strategies to bypass these obstacles.

What the job looks like
Each day you'll enjoy a variety of challenges, such as:

• Mechanistic Evaluation of Delivery Systems: Design, implement and conduct studies using primary as well as iPSC-derived sensory neuron cultures and DRG explants to assess siRNA/ASO uptake, intracellular pathways, and trafficking.

• Collaborative Innovation: Partner with the chemistry-focused postdoctoral scientist to integrate chemistry advancements into delivery models, iteratively testing and refining delivery mechanisms.
• Advanced Target Discovery: Leverage single-cell transcriptomics and proteomics to identify novel delivery targets and investigate cell-specific uptake opportunities.
• External CRO Collaboration: Work with external CROs to transition in vitro findings into in vivo models, accelerating testing and refining delivery strategies.
• Scientific Communication and Knowledge Sharing: Present research outcomes at internal meetings and conferences, publish findings in high-impact journals, and actively engage with the Discovery Biology, Translational Disease Understanding as well as Genetic Medicine group and broader scientific community.
• You will actively work on your development, which is supported by a (Senior) Leader Mentor including ambition talks, coaching sessions, & performing reviews
• You will participate in global trainings for all graduates as well as customized ones per individual Postdoc Programme
• Additionally, you will be part of our Global Graduate Network

 What you'll bring to the table
 To make the most of this role and truly thrive, you should have:

• Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related field, with expertise in siRNA/ASO delivery mechanisms, cellular uptake, and advanced imaging techniques.
• Experience with Sensory Neuron Models: Demonstrated hands-on experience with DRG cultures/explants or iPSC-derived neuron cultures,
• You will ideally have some bioinformatic experience of processing large datasets and may have already demonstrated skills in the analysis of omics datasets such as transcriptomics and proteomics.
• Experience in pain research is advantageous
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Ability to work closely with chemistry-focused scientists to bridge findings between synthetic innovations and biological delivery mechanisms.
• As a person you are proactive, open-minded and positive to the ideas of others and have a strong curiosity and enthusiasm for learning novel techniques. You are a self-motivated team-player with strong communication skills.
• You have fluent business English language skills in speaking and writing
• Broad international &/or intercultural working experiences is a benefit.

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COME ON BOARD & LOOK FORWARD TO:

• Attractive compensation and extensive social benefits
• 30 vacation days + bridging days
• Wide range of company benefits e.g. health initiatives & sports activities
• Top modern international working environment