Research Associate / Scientific Staff Member (m/f/d) University Hospital Düsseldorf

The University Hospital Düsseldorf (UKD) is the largest hospital in the state capital and one of the most important medical centres in North Rhine‑Westphalia. The 9,300 employees of the UKD and its subsidiaries are committed to ensuring that more than 45,000 patients can be treated as inpatients and 270,000 as outpatients each year. The UKD stands for international excellence in patient care, research and teaching, as well as for innovative and safe diagnostics, therapy and prevention. Patients benefit from the intensive interdisciplinary cooperation of the 60 clinics and institutes. A particular strength of the university hospital is the close interlinking of clinical practice and research to ensure the safe application of new methods. The medicine of tomorrow is being created at the UKD. Every day.

The Faculty of Medicine of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf is a leading centre for medical research. Its projects and consortia in basic and clinical research are funded by, among others, the German Research Foundation (DFG), state and federal ministries, and the EU.

The Central Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics is looking, at the earliest possible date, for a Research Associate / Scientific Staff Member (m/f/d) (permanent position).

Main Responsibilities

• Independent execution, monitoring and further development of routine chromatographic and mass‑spectrometric analytics (LC‑MS/MS, HPLC) in accordance with Rili‑BÄK and ISO 15189; analysis of clinically relevant parameters (steroid hormones, vitamins, TDM, immunosuppressants, amino acids)
• Ensuring the quality of pre‑analytical, analytical and post‑analytical processes, including internal/external quality control
• Maintenance, calibration and troubleshooting of chromatographic/mass‑spectrometric systems
• Creation and upkeep of SOPs and instrument documentation within the QM system
• Supervision and training of MTLAs (medical‑technical laboratory assistants) and laboratory staff in the field of chromatography/mass spectrometry
• Participation in translational research projects in the field of metabolomics
• Statistical evaluation and bioinformatic analysis of mass‑spectrometric data sets
• Writing scientific publications and conference contributions
• Active involvement in third‑party fundraising and the preparation of research proposals

Qualifications

• Completed university degree (Master’s or Diplom) in a natural science such as chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacy, food chemistry or a comparable field
• Completed doctorate (PhD)
• Solid practical experience with HPLC and LC‑MS/MS systems in a clinical‑analytical environment
• In‑depth knowledge of sample preparation, chromatographic separation and MS detection (triple quadrupole)
• Experience in method development/validation according to Rili‑BÄK, EMA, ISO 15189
• Skills in MS data analysis (e.g. MassLynx, Analyst, Skyline, TraceFinder)
• Experience in metabolomics (targeted/untargeted) or clinically relevant metabolite analytics is desirable
• Experience in statistical data analysis (R, Python or comparable) is desirable
• Ability to work in a team, initiative, independent and structured working style
• Very good command of German and English

Additional Attributes

• Independent problem‑solving in complex situations
• Demonstrated ability to derive and critically evaluate scientific hypotheses from complex data and literature
• Experience in the planning, execution and methodologically sound evaluation of experiments, including statistical experimental design
• A high degree of scientific creativity in generating hypotheses and a structured approach to testing them experimentally
• Friendly and situation‑appropriate communication skills

What We Offer

• Scope for personal responsibility, creativity and personal development
• A permanent, future‑proof and locally secure position
• 38.5 weekly working hours
• All standard public‑sector benefits, e.g. supplementary company pension
• Continuing education and training
• Affordable catering options
• Daycare centre (Kita)
• Staff accommodation
• Remuneration is according to TV‑L, pay group E13, with credit for all prior periods of relevant employment

The employment contract will be concluded with Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf. The hiring requirements for academic staff at universities are governed by §44 (4) of the Higher Education Act of NRW.

Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf seeks to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented and therefore expressly encourages qualified women to apply. Women will be given preference in the case of equal suitability, qualifications and professional performance, unless reasons relating to another applicant prevail. The university is certified as a family‑friendly institution and supports the compatibility of academic work/career and family life. Applications from suitable severely disabled persons and persons of equivalent status under SGB IX are welcome.

Positions are generally also filled on a part‑time basis unless compelling operational reasons preclude this in an individual case.