Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d) in Epigenetics of Tissue Regeneration

Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d) in Epigenetics of Tissue Regeneration

The research group of Meritxell Huch investigates the mechanisms governing adult tissue maintenance, regeneration and repair, and how their deregulation contributes to disease. The lab combines mouse and human organoid models with in vivo approaches and molecular and genomic techniques to study tissue plasticity and regeneration, with a particular focus on the liver and other adult tissues. The group is highly interdisciplinary, international and collaborative.

The Huch lab has pioneered organoid models of adult tissue regeneration, including liver and intestinal organoids (Huch et al., Nature 2013; Huch et al., Cell 2015; Broutier et al., Nature Medicine 2017). More recently, the group has developed complex liver assembloid and organoid systems that capture key aspects of tissue architecture, cellular heterogeneity, epithelial-stromal interactions and disease-associated states (Dowbaj et al., Nature 2025; Yuan et al., Nature 2026; Bregante et al., Cell Reports 2026). Earlier work also showed that tissue regeneration involves extensive epigenetic and transcriptional reprogramming as cells exit quiescence (Aloia et al., Nature Cell Biology 2019).

Your Role

As a postdoctoral researcher in the Huch group, you will investigate epigenetic regulation and molecular memory during tissue regeneration and disease. You will examine how regenerative responses are established and maintained, whether epigenetic states persist following injury, and how chronic damage can alter tissue plasticity and regenerative capacity.

The project will combine complementary experimental and computational approaches, including:

• Mouse models of tissue injury, regeneration and chronic damage
• Advanced mouse and human organoid and assembloid systems
• Single-cell multi-omics and epigenetic profiling
• Genome-wide approaches and genomic data analysis
• Mechanistic validation of candidate pathways that shape regenerative responses and injury memory

The position offers the opportunity to work at the interface of regenerative biology, epigenetics, organoid technology and disease modelling, with access to extensive state-of-the-art core facilities and dedicated technical expertise at MPI-CBG.

Essential qualifications:

• Doctoral degree (PhD) in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Epigenetics or a related life-science field.
• Demonstrated experience with molecular, cellular and/or in vivo techniques, such as tissue culture, mouse models, FACS, genome-wide approaches or other omics methods.
• Experience in independently planning and executing scientific projects.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate and present scientific data clearly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.

Desirable skills:

• Research background in epigenetics and biochemistry.
• Hands-on experience with ChIP-seq, bulk ATAC-seq and/or scRNA-seq.
• Experience with genomic or single-cell data analysis.

Our offer:

• A full-time position, available immediately, in a vibrant, international and collaborative research environment.
• An initial contract of two years, with the possibility of extension.
• Salary and social benefits in accordance with TVöD Bund, EG13 (100%), based on experience.
• Attractive public-sector benefits, including 30 days annual leave, full social coverage and supplementary pension (VBL).
• A discounted public-transport job ticket (VVO) and excellent transport connections.
• Support for work-life balance, including assistance with family and childcare matters.
• A broad network for career development and training through the Max Planck Society.

Your Application:

Please submit your complete application via our online system at careers.mpi-cbg.de by 15 September 2026, stating code 2026-Postdoc-Epigenetics-1110.

Kindly include the following:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV), including publication list
• A one-page cover letter describing previous research accomplishments and motivation to apply
• Contact details of at least two referees

Scientific inquiries can be sent to Meritxell Huch ([email protected]). Questions regarding the contract, compensation or benefits may be addressed to Human Resources ([email protected]).

 

Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
Pfotenhauerstr. 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
www.mpi-cbg.de

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