PhD Student in Neuroimmunology – UKE Hamburg – ISNI – International Society of Neuroimmunology

We are the UKE – the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf [Universit tsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf]. A pulsating centre of health in the heart of Hamburg. When you are surrounded by that much energy and when progress sets the pace, no two days are the same. More than 14.100 employees with very different responsibilities are united by the same goal: ensuring health and well-being.

What to expect

● Full-time/Part-time
● Limited for three years
● Salary grade 13 TV D/VKA
● Location: Hamburg-Eppendorf

The INIMS (www.inims.de) at the Centre for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH) focuses on understanding immune cell dysregulations and their neurobiological consequences in multiple sclerosis (MS). We combine immunological, neurobiological, genetic, and systems biology approaches (see Engler JB, et al. PNAS 2017;114(2):E181-E190; Schattling B, Engler JB, et al. Nat Neurosci. 2019;22(6):887–896; Kaufmann M, et al. Med. 2021;2(3):296-312.e8). The advertised position is to be filled within the framework of the Clinical Research group 296 ” Feto-maternal immune cross talk” funded by the German Research Foundation. The project focusses on the investigation of T cell function and their modulation by pregnancy in connection with the pathogenesis of MS and its animal model. The doctoral candidate will be member of the Hamburg School of Infection and Immunity Graduate programme. This enables structured doctoral supervision and includes an internationally oriented, university and non-university study programme. The ZMNH offers excellent research infrastructure and working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment located in beautiful, cosmopolitan Hamburg, Germany. Working language of the lab and institute is English.

● Independent organisation and execution of basic research experiments in molecular and cellular immunology
● Analysis of immune cells from patient material as well as investigating molecular immunological mechanisms in transgenic mouse models of MS
● Application of molecular, cell biology and immunological methods (i.e. cell culture, flow cytometry, PCR and microscopy)
● Cooperation with other immunological or neurobiological scientists and bioinformaticians at the institute and within the UKE-based collaborative research consortium
● Participation in weekly internal seminars and meetings, regular presentation of own research progress
● Exact documentation of research results
● Execution of literature research
● Presentation of research results in publications

A position is vacant as soon as possible with an initial fixed-term contract of 3 years. Salary corresponds to 65% of the German wage group of a scientist according to TV D/VKA.

What we look forward for in a candidate

● Master degree/diploma in biological, biomedical sciences, biochemistry, medicine or related
● Scientific interest in immunological, molecular and cell biology research with medical relevance
● Practical experience in basic cell biology, biochemical and/or molecular biology methods
● Preferably are practical experiences in cell culture and immunological methods (e.g. flow cytometry), processing of human sample material, as well as transgenic animal models
● Good command of English (oral and written) and MS Office
● Advantageous would be practical experiences in the analysis of scientific data with the help of the programming language R or Phython
● Ability to work in a team, efficiently and well-organised on a project

What we can offer

● An innovative, family-friendly working environment right in the middle of Hamburg (day nursery, free child care during the school holidays)
● An attractive salary measured against industry standards and at the same time the freedom of employment as a scientific employee
● Opportunity to participate in a wide range of vocational training, continuing and further education courses at the UKE Academy for Education and Careers, as well as a broad spectrum of introductory events
● An attractive company pension scheme and the use of diverse and multiple award-winning health and illness-prevention offers