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Junker Lab: Quantitative Developmental Biology
Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association
The Junker Lab team investigates how cells organize themselves into tissues and organs, and how mature tissues repair themselves after injury. Using the zebrafish, a fast-developing fish with remarkable regenerative abilities, the members address fundamental questions in developmental biology and regeneration. The group of 22 members spans eight nationalities and multiple career stages. The community extends beyond the lab through cross-lab focus groups and member-led activities contributing to an environment where good science and personal growth go hand in hand.
Strengths of the research environment
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Structured mentoring in day-to-day work
Every PhD student is supported not only by the lab head but also by a postdoc – this enhances supervision and independence whilst also providing leadership experience for the postdocs. -
Thorough induction and direct support
A lab wiki, introductory sessions on workflows, and team members who are always available to talk to make it easier to settle in and collaborate on a daily basis. -
Targeted professional exchange within and outside the lab
Topic-specific subgroups, some in collaboration with other labs, create spaces for joint problem-solving and knowledge exchange across career levels. -
Active promotion of visibility and career development
Conferences, summer schools and workshops are specifically supported; suitable opportunities are shared across the lab, and presentations are rehearsed together in advance. -
Strong institutional integration
Links to the Max Delbrück Centre, the Helmholtz Association and the Humboldt Campus open up additional career, networking and further training opportunities. -
Community and shared responsibility are actively practised
Weekly group meetings, annual laboratory outings, structured feedback sessions and a joint cleaning day strengthen cohesion and a sense of responsibility; bottom-up initiatives such as an institute-wide knitting club or joint solutions to noise in the open-plan office demonstrate that everyone actively helps shape the environment.
Examples
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Responsible and inclusive action
The team did not confine itself to a theoretical critique of the potential exclusion caused by admission fees for science communication events, but actively developed a concrete alternative. By organising a special school day and inviting a local school class to the laboratory, the team demonstrated social responsibility, sensitivity to equality of opportunity, and a willingness to make science accessible to all. -
Joint, reflective development of internal structures
As the lab expanded and the composition of its members changed, the team recognised early on that existing structures needed to be adapted. In a collaborative, iterative process, induction procedures were revised, mentoring pairs between postdocs and PhD students were established, thematic and methodological clubs were founded, and resources were reorganised. This demonstrates a cooperative, learning-oriented and collectively supported way of working.
Contact persons
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Sophia Levitskaja, PhD student, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, sophia.levitskaja@mdc-berlin.de
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Dr. Anis Senoussi, Postdoc, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, anis.senoussi@mdc-berlin.de
Address
Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association
Berlin-Mitte (BIMSB)
Hannoversche Str. 28
10115 Berlin