PhD position (m/f/d)

LIT; Berlin; Vor Ort; EUR 45.000 - 60.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Flexible working hours

Flat hierarchies

Company pension scheme (VBL)

Annual special payment

Capital‑forming benefits

Job ticket

RIGeL graduate school enrollment

Zusammenfassung

The Vander Mause Lab at DRFZ in Berlin, in collaboration with the Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT), invites applications for a PhD student position in experimental cell therapy. You will work with multi-omics data to guide protein design and genetic engineering for next‑generation cell therapies intended for clinical translation.

Starting 1 November 2026 for three years, with potential extension, joined by a vibrant graduate program and access to partner networks.

Qualifikationen

• M.D. and/or MSc in immunology, cell biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, or a related field.
• Experience in cell culture (primary T cell culture preferred) and molecular biology is desirable.
• Bioinformatics/ sequencing experience is a plus.

Aufgaben

• Use multi-omics data to guide state-of-the-art protein design and genetic engineering for precision cell therapies.
• Develop and characterize next-generation cell therapies for clinical translation.
• Collaborate with DRFZ, LIT and partner programs in a translational research environment.

Kenntnisse

Fluent in English

Ausbildung

M.D. or MSc in immunology, cell biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry or similar

Jobbeschreibung

The LIT - Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (foundation under civil law) ( https://lit.eu ) – is a biomedical research center focusing on translational immunology in the fields of cancer immunotherapy, transplant rejection and autoimmunity. The objective of the LIT is to develop innovative and efficient cellular immune therapeutics in these areas. Our own GMP laboratories and close networking with University and University Hospital offer excellent opportunities for clinical translation of novel immune cell products.

About the project

The Vander Mause Lab, Experimental Cell Therapy, is seeking a PhD student (m/f/div) with a background in cell therapy or immunology. The candidate will use comprehensive multi-omics data to guide state‑of‑the‑art methods in protein design and genetic engineering to develop and characterize the next generation of precision cell therapies for clinical translation.

Starting November 1st, 2026. The position is initially limited to three years, with the possibility of extension.

The Experimental Cell Therapy lab is part of the Systems Rheumatology program area at the DRFZ in Berlin and is a joint research group with the Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT) in Regensburg, Germany. This PhD position will be integrated into the doctoral environment at the DRFZ in Berlin, which has its own graduate program and access to partner programs. The program brings together like‑minded PhD students from across Berlin and offers a variety of graduate training programs and events.

The German Rheumatology Research Center (DRFZ), an Institute of the Leibniz Association, was founded in 1988 and is unique in Germany in its focus on rheumatic diseases. Today, the DRFZ ranks among the world’s leading institutes in the fields of immunology, experimental rheumatology and the epidemiology of rheumatic diseases. The unique interdisciplinary collaboration among experts in biology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, chemistry, physics, medicine, sociology, and statistics is a key factor in this. The research focuses on the causes, progression, and management of rheumatic diseases.

Your profile:

• M.D and/or MSc in immunology, cell biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, or similar.
• Experience preferred in cell culture (primary T cell culture preferred), molecular biology, viral production, and protein expression, purification, and characterization techniques.
• Bioinformatics and sequencing experience is a plus.
• Organizational skills, willingness to learn, and enthusiasm for science.
• Fluent in English.

We offer:

• An international cutting‑edge research environment that offers exciting and diverse opportunities
• Perspectives for further scientific qualification
• Flexible working hours
• Flat hierarchies and short decision‑making processes
• A highly motivated and cooperative team
• Possibility to enroll in the RIGeL graduate school
• Company pension scheme (VBL)
• Annual special payment
• Capital‑forming benefits
• Job ticket and more

The remuneration is based on TV-L (E13, 65%).

The LIT places particular emphasis on promoting a healthy work-life balance.

Disabled applicants (m/f/d) with equal qualifications will receive preferential treatment within the recruitment procedure. Please refer to your disability status already in your application.

Please note that expenses that may arise in the context of an eventual job interview cannot be reimbursed.

For more information, please contact Dr. Erica Vander Mause ([e-mail]).

The application deadline is September 1st, 2026.