Post doc (all genders) in liver immunity - section Regenerative Medicine and Immunology

The liver is critical in mediating organismal homeostasis. Previous studies from our group have shown that early in life innate lymphoctes are enriched in human organs. More recent studies suggest that innate lymphocytes including NK cells are critical in editing immune cell populations in tissues and thereby can provide protection against autoimmunity. However, this may also have consequences for the control of viral infections. During the lifespan the immune system faces time-window dependent challenges characterized by changes in microbial and virus exposure and tissue growth, resulting in an increased risk of infectious and immune-mediated diseases early in life. Specifically, young children are more susceptible to chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

In this project, the consequences of interactions between innate lymphcoytes and lymphocytes of the adapative immune system in the liver are investigated in the context of liver inflammation and hepatitis B virus infection. The studies build on analyses of observational studies, including several single cell omics and computational analyses and innovative human tissue-based organoid systems to decipher the molecular interactions between immune cells as well as parenchymal cells in tissue (re) generation, HBV infection and inflammation.

The goal is to understand critical developmental programs regulating liver immune development and identify pathways that can be targeted to prevent chronic HBV infection.

Main tasks:

• Experimental studies of liver organoid systems and liver immune cells, including planning of experimental design, experiments, documentation and statistical analysis of results; interpretation, discussion and presentation of results
• Computational analyses of high dimensional data, including flow cytometry, scRNAseq and spatial transcriptomics
• Scientific publishing, presentation at international conferences, communitty outreach

This position is temporary for 2 years due to third-party funding and starts on 1st of November 2026.

• Completed university degree and preferably a PhD in biology, biochemistry, or a related field, or a medical degree with a clinical-scientific background
• Training in (tissue) immunology or infectious diseases
• Expertise in computational analyses of various OMICS data sets
• 2 letters of recommendation from former mentors
• Strong interest in pursuing research in academia

We look much forward to receiving your application, including CV, publication list, and certificates recommendation letters.

• Fair and transparent compensation in accordance with our collective bargaining agreement TVöD/VKA / TV-Ärzte/VKA (€ 63,600 – € 91,100), taking into account qualifications and professional experience. The salary range applies to a full-time position of 38.5 hours per week. The amounts listed are guidelines and do not constitute a salary guarantee.
• Targeted and individualized professional development at both the technical and project levels is provided, offering long-term prospects in a meaningful work environment
• Comprehensive continuing education and training programs at our UKE Academy for Education and Career
• Opportunities to help shape our “UKE INside” personnel policy through cross-functional and cross-hierarchical projects
• Sustainable commuting: Subsidies for the Deutschlandticket as a job ticket and Dr. Bike bicycle service
• Excellent health, prevention, and sports programs
• Family-friendly work environment: Partnerships for childcare, free vacation care, counseling for employees with family members requiring care
• A secure job, meaningful work, and a supportive team environment
• Structured onboarding and open knowledge sharing within the team
• Our employee restaurant offers a wide variety of culinary options; additional options are available at the “Health Kitchen” cafés and bistros and at a supermarket located directly on the premises

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.