PhD student (all genders) - Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology (HCTI)

The project “Influence of pathogen-mediated interactions of phagocytizing macrophages and Trm cells on autoimmune diseases”, funded by the Hamburg State Research Foundation, is headed by Prof. Dr. med. Christian Krebs (Translational Immunology/Systems Nephrology and Cellular Immunity, UKE) and Dr. Lidia Bosurgi, PhD (I. Department of Medicine, UKE and Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Leibniz Institute). The project is part of the research network “Pathogens and Autoimmune Diseases” and deals with the interaction of macrophages with memory T cells in models of autoimmune diseases (Krebs et al. Immunity 2016, Borsurgi et al. Science 2017, Krebs et al. Science Immunolgy 2020; Zhao et al. Science Immunology 2021, Enk and Hellmig et al. Science Immunology 2024, Liebold et al. Science 2025), with the aim of identifying new therapeutic approaches for our patients.

The newly established HCTI research profile area, including the new research building, offers optimal conditions for international cutting-edge research in the field of translational immunology.

Your tasks:

• Characterization of phagocytic and non-phagocytic macrophages in the kidney in preclinical disease models
• Interactome analysis of phagocytic macrophages and T cell subtypes
• Functional investigation of Trm cell activation by phagocytic macrophages

This position is initially limited to 3 years in accordance with the WissZeitVG and to be filled with 65% of the regular weekly working hours.

• Master degree in immunology, cell biology or equivalent
• Experience with immunological working methods (flow cytometry, cell culture, in vitro functional assays)
• Good knowledge of the presentation of research results
• Good knowledge of English due to the international orientation of the working groups
• Ability to work in a team, flexibility and enthusiasm for scientific work

• Enrollment in a structured graduate program
• Mentoring through Thesis Advisory Committees for scientific and professional development
• 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.