Staff Scientist​/Postdoctoral Fellow - Computational Biology

Staff Scientist/Postdoctoral Fellow - Computational Biology

As a joint venture of the University of Basel and the University Hospitals Basel, the Department of Biomedicine (DBM) brings together basic and clinical scientists to advance the understanding of health and disease. We are home to more than 67 research groups and over 800 employees across six locations in the heart of Basel. Our collaborative and international environment fosters innovation, excellence, and impactful research.

The Cancer Neuroimmonology, led by Prof. Karen Dixon, is looking for a fully funded postdoctoral position. Join our community and help shape the future of biomedicine. The Dixon Lab at University of Basel is seeking a highly motivated research fellow to study neuro-immune interactions in cancer. The role of intra-tumoral neurons is complex and still not fully understood. While some studies suggest they play a critical role in tumor progression and metastasis, others report that they may contribute to anti-tumor immunity.

Our lab is dedicated to understanding the innervation landscape of peripheral tumors and its role in immuno-oncology. We are particularly interested in candidates with experience analyzing cellular and molecular networks underlying tissue homeostasis and disease, especially using single-cell and spatial omics approaches. Our research is highly interdisciplinary, interfacing tumor biology, immunology, and neuroscience, with a strong emphasis on rigorous computational analysis.

The successful candidate will play a central role in the design, analysis, and interpretation of computational and single-cell biology projects, ensuring high methodological standards, reproducibility, and robust analytical workflows.

Responsibilities include:

• Leading computational analyses of single-cell, spatial transcriptomics, and multi-omics datasets
• Developing and maintaining reproducible, well-documented analysis pipelines
• Applying and adapting machine learning and AI approaches to biological questions
• Collaborating closely with experimental scientists to guide study design and data interpretation
• Contributing to grant writing and shaping the lab's computational strategy
• Mentoring and advising PhD students and postdoctoral researchers
• Publishing first-author manuscripts and presenting work at international conferences

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related field
• Experience with single-cell and/or spatial omics technologies
• Strong background in computational data analysis with a solid understanding of biological and biomedical concepts
• Expertise in machine learning, AI, or statistical modeling applied to biological data
• Proficiency in scientific computing frameworks
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing effectively to collaborative projects

Familiarity with neurobiology, immunology, or cancer biology datasets

• A stimulating, interdisciplinary research environment focused on neuro-immunology in cancer
• A dynamic and international team with a strong culture of collaboration and mutual support
• Close interaction with neighboring labs in neuroscience, immunology, oncology, and cancer immunology
• Strong mentorship, including career development support and guidance toward independent research careers
• Intellectual freedom to develop computational methods and scientific ideas
• Competitive academic environment at the University of Basel