PhD student (f/m/x) in the field of Neuroimmunology 1439/2025/5]

Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 40.000 - 50.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading research center in Germany is seeking a motivated PhD student to explore the intersection of immunology and neuroscience. The position focuses on understanding neuroinflammation related to Alzheimer’s disease, utilizing advanced lab techniques and interdisciplinary collaboration. Applicants should possess an MSc in a relevant field and demonstrate strong enthusiasm for research. The role offers a supportive environment with flexible working hours and opportunities for professional growth.

Leistungen

Flexible working hours

30 days' holiday

Subsidised job ticket

Health programmes

Weekly seminars

Personalised onboarding

On-site parking

Qualifikationen

• Experience in experimental animal work and immunology is beneficial.
• FELASA accreditation is a strong plus.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.

Aufgaben

• Conduct research on microglia-mediated neuroinflammation.
• Assess the impact of western diet on microglial activity.
• Involve in cell culture work and immune activation assays.

Kenntnisse

Fluency in English

Interdisciplinary research

Motivation

Ausbildung

MSc degree in Immunology

MSc degree in Neuroscience

MSc degree in Biology

Tools

Cell culture

Biochemistry techniques

Flow cytometry

Western blot

PCR

Jobbeschreibung

Organisation/Company Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen Research Field Neurosciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Country Germany Application Deadline 10 Jun 2025 - 11:53 (UTC) Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Other Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Area of research:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated PhD student to conduct research at the interface of immunology and neuroscience.

The student will be a member of the ‘Translational Neuroimmunology’ research group, led by Dr. Róisín McManus, which is based at the DZNE in Bonn and is also associated with the Institute of Innate Immunity at the University Hospital Bonn, the ImmunoSensation2 Cluster of Excellence and the Collaborative Research Centre “Metaflammation” (SFB 1454).

Our research focuses on understanding how microglia-mediated neuroinflammation contributes to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, we examine how immune signaling and metabolic changes combine to modulate microglial function, affecting disease outcome.

Our recent work has uncovered that consumption of a western diet can drive lipid changes that activate microglia, causing neuroinflammation.Using a series of animal models of dementia, murine cell culture models and samples from patients, the goal of your PhD will be to unravel the innate immune pathways mediating these neuroinflammatory changes, and thus contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.

Specifically, this position is part of an international interdisciplinary collaboration and will involve cell culture work using murine and human cells, immune activation assays and state of the art lab techniques (metabolic assays, flow cytometry, fluorescence imaging, RNA sequencing and biochemical techniques e.g. western blot, quantificationassays). Combining diet treatments, pharmacological inhibition and genetic depletion approaches, the successful applicant will assess the full impact of western diet on microglial activity bothin vivo, ex vivoandin vitro.

• A MSc degree in one of the following fields: Immunology, Neuroscience, Biology or similar
• Previous experience in experimental animal work and immunology, neuroscience or cell metabolism research would be very beneficial
• FELASA accreditation is a strong plus
• Hands on experience in cell culture (e.g. murine microglia or macrophages, or cells generated from human iPSCs) and biochemistry techniques (protein assays, western blot, PCR). Familiarity in immunohistochemistry or flow cytometry is a plus
• Fluency in English for communicating, writing, and presentation of scientific data
• Strong enthusiasm and motivation for interdisciplinary research, with an interest to explore and innovate with new techniques
• Ability to work independently and within a diverse and interdisciplinary team of international scientists

What our employees value

• Innovation and internationality -a forward-looking infrastructure, modern laboratory and office equipment, software tools and the opportunity for international exchange with your colleagues from 65 nations
• Work-life balance - we reconcile work and private life with flexible working hours, 30 days' holiday (On top free on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve) and subsidised job/ Germany ticket options
• Family-conscious corporate culture - because we know that familyis important, we support you with parent-child offices, family services and daycare co-operations
• Health promotion – through our extensive range of company health programmes, in cooperation with Sozialwerk.Bund
• Focus on development -Weekly seminars on immunology, neuroscience and other biomedical topics by national and international speakers and the possibility to present results at national and international conferences
• Remuneration and conditions according to TVöD-Bund - including annual special payment, capital-forming benefits and VBL supplementary pension scheme, in line with the responsibility and seniority of the role
• Personalised Onboarding - for a good start to your new professional challenge
• A feel-good working environment - our Bonn employees enjoy a campus surrounded by greenery, with on-site parking and public transport connections as well our company restaurant
• Job with prospects - The position is initially limited to 3 years

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, two reference letters and transcripts in one single PDF file. The cover letter should describe your motivation to apply for this position and detail how your research interests and experience align with the research that is conducted in our group. Please highlight any relevant projects or publications. Only applications submitted via our portals will be accepted. Please refrain from sending your application by e-mail.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

We look forward to receiving your application!

You will obtain special skills and knowledge for your scientific qualification during your activities at DZNE. The DZNE is an equal opportunity employer. It is committed to employing disabled individuals and especially encourages them to apply.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.