PhD students (all genders) - Immune Regulation in the Liver

In our newly funded Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1700, “Immune Regulation in the Liver: From Homeostasis to Disease.” (www.uke.de/sfb1700) the projects A05 and B03 offer PhD student positions.

CRC 1700 aims to deeply understand the mechanisms governing immune regulation in the liver, a central metabolic organ constantly exposed to various endogenous and exogenous substances.

Diseases of the bile ducts, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), are difficult to treat, and often progressive diseases leading to cirrhosis, liver transplantation or death. Cholangiocytes are targeted by immune cells, and this interaction may be modulated and triggered by the luminal environment of the bile ducts, including its microbiota and lipid metabolites. We aim to decipher the bidirectional interaction between immune cells and cholangiocytes that governs periductular and liver inflammation. Moreover, we within these projects we will characterize the biliary microbiome in mice and men, and elucidate how microorganisms shape the interaction of cholangiocytes with immune cells and thus modify the course of disease. Understanding the mechanisms governing ductular immune regulation will help to identify novel treatment targets.

The successful candidates are expected to:

• Co-culture immune cells with 3 D cholangiocyte organoids (mouse/human)
• Conduct animal experiments in mouse models for autoimmune liver diseases
• Analyse the biliary microbiome in human and mouse
• Investigate the impact of bacteria and metabolites on differentiation and activation of immune cells and cholangiocytes
• Generate and interpret data: FACS, ELISA, WB, IHC, NGS, sc- and snRNA-sequencing
• Prepare and present your scientific data on national and international meetings
• prepare manuscripts

The positions are to be filled with 65% of regular weekly working hours and are limited to 3,5 years due to third-party funding.

• Applicants should hold a diploma or master degree in biology, immunology, microbiology or related life sciences
• Documented interest, skills and experience in immunology, microbiology as well as basic computing skills are welcome
• The successful candidates should be highly motivated and able to work in a team and collaborate with other research groups

• Attractive compensation according to TVöD/VKA
• Secure employment with meaningful work and respectful collaboration
• Comprehensive onboarding and open knowledge exchange within the team
• Extensive training and further education programs at our UKE Academy for Education and Careers
• Opportunities to contribute to our “UKE INside” personnel policy through cross-professional and cross-hierarchical projects
• Sustainable travel: subsidies for the Deutschlandticket as a job ticket, and Dr. Bike bicycle service
• Family-friendly working environment: cooperation on childcare, free vacation childcare, advice for employees with relatives in need of care
• Excellent health, wellness, and sports programs
• A wide range of dining options in our staff restaurant, with additional choices available at the “Health Kitchen” cafés, bistros, and an on-site supermarket

We live diversity and value variety

We offer a work environment that provides equal opportunities regardless of age, gender, sexual identity, disability, ethnic and social origin, or religion. This is confirmed by our accession to the Charter of Diversity. We explicitly aim to increase the proportion of women in management positions, especially among scientific personnel in research and teaching. Women with equal qualifications will be given priority. The same applies in the case of under-representation of one gender in the advertised area. Persons with severe disabilities with equal aptitude, competence, and professional performance will be given priority.

> Learn more about "Diversity at UKE" here.