Postdoctoral Researcher in Bioinformatics, Epigenetics and Genetics for Child Mental Health

About us:
Faculty VI - Medicine and Health Sciences comprises the fields of Human Medicine, Medical Physics and Acoustics, Neuroscience, Psychology, and Health Services Research. Together with four regional hospitals, Faculty VI forms the University Medicine Oldenburg. In addition, there is close collaboration with the University Medical Center of the University of Groningen.

The research division of the University Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy at the University of Oldenburg focuses in particular on substance use disorders in adolescence, trauma-related disorders in children and adolescents, and the investigation of the effects of prenatal stressors on the child.

Our research focuses on how early environmental exposures shape developmental trajectories and contribute to psychiatric symptoms. We are particularly interested in genome-environment interactions, epigenetic gene regulation, molecular signatures of early adversity, and biological changes associated with symptom development and improvement following psychotherapy.

The position is situated at the interface of epigenetics, genetics, molecular biology, developmental psychopathology, and child and adolescent mental health. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to studies on epigenetic and genetic mechanisms related to early adversity, prenatal and early-life substance exposure, and psychiatric symptoms in children.
Your tasks:
The position is situated at the interface of epigenetics, genetics, molecular biology, developmental psychopathology, and child and adolescent mental health. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to studies on epigenetic and genetic mechanisms related to early adversity, prenatal and early-life substance exposure, and psychiatric symptoms in children.

You will become part of a committed research team and will be actively involved from the very beginning. This includes:

• Lead and contribute to research projects on epigenetic and genetic mechanisms associated with early adversity, substance exposure, and child mental health
• Analyze DNA methylation patterns in candidate genes and genome-wide methylation data
• Investigate epigenetic gene regulation, including DNA methylation, histone-related mechanisms, non-coding RNA-mediated processes, and gene expression
• Examine genome-environment interactions and, where applicable, gene-gene interactions in relation to psychiatric symptoms and developmental outcomes
• Contribute to the analysis of genetic mechanisms of complex and multifactorial psychiatric and developmental phenotypes
• Integrate epigenetic, genetic, molecular, clinical, psychometric, and neuropsychological data
• Apply statistical and bioinformatic approaches to large-scale molecular and multimodal datasets
• Conduct longitudinal, multivariate, and gene-environment interaction analyses
• Support the development of reproducible workflows for molecular, epigenetic, and genetic data analysis
• Contribute to data quality control, documentation, harmonization, and reproducibility
• Prepare and lead scientific manuscripts, conference presentations, and reports
• Contribute to grant applications and the development of new research projects
• Collaborate closely with clinical, psychological, molecular biology, genetics, epigenetics, and bioinformatics partners
• Support the supervision of doctoral students, master's students, and research assistants, where appropriate
• Teaching (4 LVS)

Your profile:
Required qualifications:

• Completed scientific university studies (Diploma (Uni)/ Master) and PhD in the field of genetics, epigenetics, molecular biology, bioinformatics, neuroscience, psychology, biomedical sciences, data science, or a related discipline
• Strong research background in epigenetics, genetics, molecular biology, molecular psychiatry, or gene-environment research
• Experience with DNA methylation analyses, genome-wide methylation profiling, gene expression analyses, eQTL approaches, or related molecular methods
• Knowledge of epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin regulation, or non-coding RNA-mediated regulation is desirable
• Experience with large-scale molecular genetic studies, complex disease genetics, or the analysis of multifactorial phenotypes is an advantage
• Good knowledge of statistical analysis and experience with R, Python, or comparable statistical software
• Experience with reproducible workflows, data documentation, and version control is desirable
• Interest in developmental psychopathology, child and adolescent mental health, early adversity, substance exposure, and complex disease mechanisms
• Strong publication-oriented working style and motivation to develop an independent research profile
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment
• Good written and spoken English skills

Preferred qualifications:

• Good written and spoken German skills
• Experience in supervising students in the context of theses or mandatory internships
• Experience in research data management
• Knowledge of machine learning or AI-based analytical methods
• A structured, independent, and team-oriented working style, as well as strong communication skills

We offer:

• An innovative research topic at the interface of epigenetics, genetics, early-life adversity, substance exposure, child development, and mental health
• Opportunities to develop an independent academic profile and to strategically advance the research group
• Access to molecular, clinical, psychometric, and neuropsychological datasets
• Close collaboration with experts in child and adolescent psychiatry, psychology, molecular biology, genetics, epigenetics, and bioinformatics
• Opportunities to lead scientific publications, participate in international conferences, and contribute to grant applications
• Structured onboarding, intensive supervision, and a collegial working environment that supports your professional and personal development
• A dynamic and appreciative team with extensive interdisciplinary collaborations nationally and internationally
• Support for research-related stays abroad
• Salary according to collective agreement (including annual special payment, occupational pension scheme, and capital-forming benefits) plus 30 days of annual leave
• A family-friendly environment with flexible working hours (flexitime) and the option of partial remote work
• Occupational health promotion services
• An extensive free continuing education program as well as dedicated scientific career development support ( https://uol.de/medizin/nachwuchs )

Our standards:
The University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increase the percentage of female employees in the field of science. Therefore, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. In accordance to § 21 Section 3 NHG, female candidates with equal qualifications will be preferentially considered. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in case of equal qualification.
Further information:
There is the possibility of personal scientific qualification [post-doctoral thesis].