The Departments of Immunology and Immunobiochemistry at the Medical Faculty Mannheim of the Heidelberg University searches for a
PhD student (m/f/i) to work on a project in the framework of our DFG-funded research training group GRK2727: “Innate immune checkpoints in cancer and tissue damage”,
https://www.umm.uni-heidelberg.de/grk2727/, Twitter GRK2727: @grk2727
The department of immunology
(Prof. Dr. Sònia Tugues) and the department of immunobiochemistry (head:
Prof. Dr. Adelheid Cerwenka; (
https://www.umm.uni-heidelberg.de/immunbiochemie/; Twitter: @CerwenkaLab) at the MI3 (Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience) focus on the research on (innate) immune cells and their exploitation in the immunotherapy for cancer. This project entitled:
“Mapping Natural Killer (NK) cell checkpoints in metastatic melanoma associated to response to immunotherapy” within GRK2727, aims at identifying novel checkpoints regulating NK cell reactivity in Natural Killer cells/Innate Lymphoid Cells in melanoma.
Activities and responsibilities
- Dissect mechanisms in NK cells and other innate lymphoid cells in samples from melanoma patients (e.g. by flow cytometry, single cell and special omics)
- Map the localization and molecular profiling of NK cells within the tumor microenvironment in samples from melanoma patients undergoing checkpoint inhibitor treatment
- Explore CRISPR-Cas9-based strategies to manipulate NK cells, potentially enhancing their efficacy in immunotherapy
- Evaluate results by mining publicly available data from melanoma patients
- Benefit by a GRK2727 structured PhD educational program and international exchange with Stockholm and Vienna
Qualification profile
- University degree (master in e.g. biology, biochemistry or equivalent)
- In-depth knowledge of cellular and molecular biology and/or immunology
- High degree of motivation, enthusiasm for research, very good organizational skills
- Excellent English language and communication skills, interest in helping in graduate school organization
We offer
- Collaborations and lab-visits at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm and Vienna University
- A versatile range of tasks, opportunity to learn and expand knowledge in immunology
- An open-minded, international and highly motivated team
- Support for combining family and career
- Support of your personal and career development by internal training programs of the Heidelberg University, mentoring within GRK2727
- Remuneration according to the provisions of the Civil Service Collective Agreement of the Federal States (TV-L)
- Pensions for the civil service (VBL)
We stand for equal opportunities. Severely disabled applicants with equal qualification will be given priority. For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Adelheid Cerwenka, (email) and Prof. Dr. Sònia Tugues (email).