Postdoctoral and Ph.D. positions in the epigenetics of aging and sex-biased disease

10.05.2026, Academic staff

The Andergassen lab at TUM is recruiting a Postdoctoral and Ph.D. candidate to study how epigenetic changes during aging contribute to sex-biased disease. The project combines allele-specific epigenomics, bulk and single-cell sequencing, viral vectors, and CRISPR-based in vivo editing. Candidates will work in a state-of-the-art, international research environment at the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology.

About the Project: The successful candidate will join the Andergassen lab at the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Technical University of Munich (TUM). The lab bridges computational approaches, including allele-specific epigenomics, with experimental strategies such as high-throughput bulk and single-cell sequencing, viral vectors, and CRISPR-based in vivo editing to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying sex differences in disease. A particular focus will be on genes that escape X-chromosome inactivation in females, resulting in higher gene dosage compared with males. The lab recently discovered that aging promotes reactivation of the inactive X chromosome across major mouse organs, revealing a new epigenetic mechanism that may help explain sex differences in age-related diseases (Hoelzl et al., Nature Aging 2025). This project aims to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying sex bias in age-related disorders. More information about the lab: www.andergassenlab.com and here

About the institute: The Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology (IPT) is part of the Medical Faculty of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), one of the leading universities. The institute's research focuses on non-coding RNAs, their control of cardiac gene expression, and the effects of their therapeutic manipulation in cardiac disease. The institute's state-of-the-art research facility includes a fully equipped mouse cardiac phenotyping lab, a viral vector core, and the entire experimental pipeline for next-generation sequencing from tissue or single-cells, including FACS-based cell separation. Furthermore, the IPT coordinates and receives funding from the DFG Collaborative Research Center TRR267 "Non-coding RNA in the Cardiovascular System", the Cluster for Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Munich (CNATM) and the recently approved NUCLEATE Clusters of Excellence. More information: www.ipt.med.tum.de

Your profile
• Ph.D. in molecular biology, ideally with a computational background (for PostDoc applicants)
• You must have at least one first-author publication (for PostDoc applicants)
• You hold a master's in molecular biology and have a computational background (for Ph.D. applicants)
• Solid wet-lab experience and experience in library preparation for next-generation sequencing
• Experience working in a Linux/Unix environment and R programming
• Written and oral communication skills in English
• Highly motivated scientist and commitment to scientific excellence

We offer
• 3-year contract with option to extend (payment according to TV-L E13)
• State-of-the-art facility in house
• Access to the Leibniz-Rechenzentrum (LRZ)
• A highly motivated and international institute with a high PostDoc to student ratio
• Membership in the TUM Graduate School and benefit from educational programs

Your application: The TUM aims to increase the diversity of its staff substantially. As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, the TUM explicitly encourages nominations of and applications from women and all others who would bring additional diversity dimensions to the university's research and teaching strategies. The position is suitable for people with disabilities. Applications from people with disabilities with essentially the same qualifications will be given preference. Please send your complete application documents (cover letter, C.V., certificates) via email to:

Prof. Dr. Daniel Andergassen
daniel.andergassen@tum.de
TUM, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Biedersteiner Strasse 29, 80802 Munich, Germany

Notes on data protection:
As part of your application for a position at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), you submit personal data. Please note our privacy policy in accordance with Art. 13 General Data Protection Regulation (DSGVO) http://go.tum.de/554159 for the collection and processing of personal data in the context of your application. By submitting your application, you confirm that you have read the data protection notices of TUM.

Kontakt: daniel.andergassen@tum.de

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