Apply online now: https://karriere.klinikum.uni-heidelberg.de/index.php?ac=application&job...
PhD position (m/w/d)
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starting at the earliest possible date in the Department of Integrative Virology at the Center for Integrative Infectious Disease Research (CIID) at the in the laboratory of the newly founded group of Dr. Lercher .
The position is part of the SynthImmune Cluster of Excellence, which brings together leading groups in virology, cancer, immunology, and bioengineering to understand and harness the principles of immune control to develop a new class of therapeutics based on bottom-up Synthetic Immunology.
Inflammatory signals lead to epigenetic remodeling that can impact subsequent immune responses. This innate immune memory is antigen-independent and can facilitate cross-pathogen protection. This project focuses on understanding how cells integrate distinct inflammatory cues and combinations thereof and how this leads to epigenetic remodeling. Specifically, the PhD candidate will study molecular networks of inflammatory signal integration and how these facilitate durable epigenetic changes across primary macrophage populations. By employing and advancing existing cell culture model systems, combined with state-of-the-art readouts including transcriptomics, epigenomics, metabolomics, flow cytometry and imaging, this project will advance our understanding of real-world pathogen encounters and the establishment and plasticity of innate immune memory. Identified molecular targets will be validated via genetic and pharmacological perturbation in cell culture and animal model systems of viral infection. This project will not only deepen our insights into long-term consequences of past inflammatory responses but also contribute to unlocking the vast therapeutic potential of antigen-independent innate immune memory.
- Job-ID: V000015810
- Field of application: Zentrum für Infektiologie
- Location: Heidelberg
- Job Category: Science and teaching
- Working hours: Part time (25,03 Wochenstunden)
- Published: 26.06.2026
- Limitation:Temporary (36 months, extension is sought)
- Contract:TV-L
Your tasks
- To lead a research project to investigate how cells integrate distinct inflammatory signals and how this impacts durable epigenetic remodeling
- To utilize standard techniques to study immune responses (qPCR, flow cytometry, WB, ELISA…)
- To use high-throughput sequencing to generate, analyze and integrate transcriptomic and epigenetic datasets
- To genetically (CRISPR/Cas9, shRNA) or pharmacologically (small molecules) perturb molecular targets of inflammatory signal integration in vitro and in vivo
- To document, analyze, evaluate and interpret data
- To present research results at internal meetings and at (international) conferences and to publish research findings
Your profile
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field (biology, molecular biology, immunology, cell biology,) from an internationally accredited institution of higher education
- Good theoretical knowledge and background in molecular biology and related methods is required
- Knowledge in immunology and bioinformatic skills, as well as experience with high-throughput sequencing data generation are advantageous
- High interest in fundamental questions of immunology and willingness to establish and optimize novel model systems to model real-world pathogen encounters
- Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required
What we offer
- Collectively agreed remuneration, attractive company pension scheme (VBL)
- 30 days vacation
- Sustainable travel: job ticket
- Family-friendly working environment: cooperative arrangements for childcare, subsidy for child vacation care, advice for employees with relatives in need of care
- Wide range of health, prevention and sports offers
- Goal-oriented, individual training and development opportunities (e.g. courses and a wide range of activities offered through HBIGS Graduate School, Heidelberg University and its collaborating institutions
- Working with the latest techniques / technical equipment including spectral flow cytometry and high-throughput sequencing
- Possibility to publish scientifically is offered and supported
- Regular team meetings
- Interdisciplinary cooperation
- Access to state-of-the-art BSL2 and BSL3 laboratories and infrastructure within the Center for Integrative Infectious Disease Research (CIID) research building, including the IDIP imaging platform
Contact & Application
For further information please contact the SynthImmune office via mail.
Interested?
Applications will be accepted until 31.08.2026 via the online application system.
Zentrum für Infektiologie
SynthImmune Cluster of Excellency
Im Neuenheimer Feld 344
69120 Heidelberg
06221 56-7645
SynthImmune@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Note: The UKHD is subject to the provisions of the Infektionsschutzgesetz. Therefore, a valid measles immunity certificate is required for all persons employed at the UKHD.
The UKHD embraces diversity and values diversity.
Regardless of age, gender, sexual identity, disability, origin or religion, we offer everyone the same opportunities. If one gender is underrepresented in a particular area, we place particular emphasis on counteracting this imbalance. If they have the same aptitude, qualifications and professional performance, we give priority to people with severe disabilities when considering them for vacancies.
Apply online now: https://karriere.klinikum.uni-heidelberg.de/index.php?ac=application&job...
