PHD

Universitätsklinikum Münster; Münster; On-site; EUR 21,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Family support services

Job summary

The Institute for Experimental Pathology at the University of Münster invites applications for a PhD position (TV-L E13, 65%) in Immunology. The research investigates how pattern recognition receptors regulate immune responses during hematopoietic stress, with a focus on neutrophil biology in inflammation and disease.

The successful candidate will use cellular, molecular, and in vivo approaches in a highly interdisciplinary, international environment with access to state-of-the-art flow

Qualifications

• MSc in Biological Sciences and a strong background in immunology.
• Hands-on experience in flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and cell culture.
• Excellent English communication; German desirable but not required.
• Ability to work independently and participate in collaborative projects.
• Willingness to engage in ongoing training to stay updated with methods.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments using state-of-the-art approaches.
• Use animal models of stress-induced granulopoiesis and infection.
• Apply high-dimensional spectral flow cytometry and cell sorting.
• Perform immunohistological staining and imaging of tissues.
• Carry out cytokine assays and other inflammatory mediator analyses.
• Culture primary cells and cell lines; collaborate across disciplines.
• Analyze data, interpret results, and contribute to publications.
• Assist in manuscript preparation and present findings.

Skills

Flow cytometry

Immunofluorescence

Cell culture

Education

MSc in Biological Sciences

Tools

Flow cytometry instrument

Immunohistochemistry

Histology equipment

Job description

The Institute for Experimental Pathology based at the Center for Inflammation Research at the University of Münster, Germany offers:

One PhD position (TV-L E13, 65%) in Immunology

In a project funded by Innovative Medizinische Forschung (IMF, Universität Münster), the research group of Dr. Mariano Malamud is investigating how pattern recognition receptors regulate immune responses during hematopoietic stress.

Neutrophils are continuously generated from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, and their production is rapidly reprogrammed during infection and inflammation. Although this stress response is essential for host defence, persistent or dysregulated myelopoiesis can amplify inflammatory disease. Building on our discovery that the inhibitory receptor MICL (CLEC12A) recognizes neutrophil extracellular traps and restrains neutrophil activation (Malamud et al., Nature, 2024), the project will investigate how inflammatory stress remodels pattern‑recognition receptor networks during granulopoiesis and how this process programs the function of newly generated neutrophils.

The successful candidate will investigate these mechanisms using cellular, molecular, and in vivo approaches. Our institute provides a highly interdisciplinary and international environment with access to state‑of‑the‑art flow cytometry, cell sorting, imaging, animal models, and molecular and cellular immunology platforms.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments utilizing state‑of‑the‑art approaches such as:
• Animal models of stress‑induced granulopoiesis and bacterial infection.
• High‑dimensional spectral flow cytometry and cell sorting to characterize immune cell populations in murine tissues
• Immunohistological staining and imaging of tissue sections using multiplexed immunohistochemistry
• Biochemical assays for cytokines and other inflammatory mediators
• Cell culture experiments (primary cells and cell lines)
• Collaborate closely with colleagues across disciplines to integrate findings into a comprehensive model of atherosclerosis pathophysiology
• Analyze data, interpret results, and present conclusions through high‑quality publications, presentations, and reports
• Contribute to manuscript preparation
• Participate actively in departmental seminars, workshops, and conferences

Requirements

• MSc degree in Biological Sciences
• Strong background in immunology
• Hands‑on experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Flow cytometry‑based phenotyping and sorting
  • Immunofluorescence microscopy and histopathological evaluation
  • Culture of cell lines and human or murine primary cells.
• Excellent communication skills in English; proficiency in German desirable but not required
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to collaborative projects
• Willingness to participate in ongoing training programs to enhance expertise and stay up‑to‑date with latest methodologies

We Offer

• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, pension plan, and family support services
• Access to world‑class infrastructure, equipment, and resources
• Opportunities for professional growth, networking, and international collaboration
• Supportive environment fostering creativity, innovation, and interdisciplinary exchange

For inquiries, please contact: Mariano Malamud, Tel: [phone], [e-mail]