Research Assistant / Doctoral Candidate (PhD) (m/f/d)

Universitätsklinikum Würzburg; Würzburg; Vor Ort; EUR 50.000 - 55.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Ein führendes Universitätsklinikum in Bayern sucht einen Doktoranden für ein interdisziplinäres Forschungsprojekt zu CAR-T-Zellen in der Behandlung von adrenokortikalem Karzinom. Die Position umfasst eigenständige wissenschaftliche Arbeiten, Planung und Durchführung von Studien sowie die Präsentation von Ergebnissen. Interessierte mit einem exzellenten Abschluss in relevanten Fächern, starkem Interesse an Tumorimmunologie und sehr guten Englischkenntnissen (C1) sind eingeladen, sich zu bewerben. Flexible Arbeitszeiten werden angeboten.

Leistungen

Attraktives Gehalt gemäß TV-L

Trainings- und Weiterbildungsmöglichkeiten

Betriebliche Altersvorsorge

Kindertagesstätte mit erweiterten Öffnungszeiten

Betriebssportprogramm

Flexible Arbeitszeiten

Qualifikationen

• Exzellenter Abschluss in einem relevanten Fach.
• Interesse an translationaler Krebsforschung.
• Erfahrung in der Zell- oder Molekularbiologie ist von Vorteil.

Aufgaben

• Eigenständige wissenschaftliche Arbeit im Rahmen des Forschungsprojektes.
• Planung und Durchführung von Studien der Zell- und Molekularbiologie.
• Präsentation von Ergebnissen auf wissenschaftlichen Konferenzen.

Kenntnisse

Hochmotiviert

Teamarbeit

Starkes Interesse an Tumorimmunologie

Erfahrung in molekularbiologischen Methoden

Sehr gute Englischkenntnisse (C1)

Ausbildung

Exzellenter Universitätsabschluss in Biologie, Biochemie oder verwandten Fächern

Jobbeschreibung

Overview

The University Hospital of Würzburg is seeking to fill the following position as soon as possible as part of the Collaborative Research Center/Transregios 205. Application deadline: 20/02/2026.

We offer

• A doctoral position in accordance with the German Academic Leave Act (WissZeitVG) (E13 TV-L, 65%), 3.5 years


• An excellent scientific environment within the framework of an interdisciplinary DFG-funded transregional collaborative research center


• Structured supervision of the doctoral program within the Graduate School of Life Sciences at the University of Würzburg and extensive continuing education opportunities (http://www.graduateschools.uni-wuerzburg.de/life_sciences/)


• Close links to clinical and translational research and prospects for clinical translation


• The University Hospital of Würzburg promotes gender equality

Your Tasks

• Independent scientific work within the scope of the research project described


• Planning, conducting, and evaluating cell biology, molecular biology, and (animal experimentation) studies


• Application of modern immunotherapy and gene editing technologies (including CAR-T, CRISPR/Cas9)


• Presentation of results at scientific conferences and publication in specialist journals

Your Profile

• Excellent university degree (master's/diploma/state examination) in biology, biochemistry, molecular medicine, or a related molecular subject


• Strong interest in tumor immunology, cell therapy, and translational cancer research


• Experience in molecular or cell biology methods is an advantage


• Highly motivated, able to work independently and as part of a team


• Very good written and spoken English skills (C1 level)

Project: Steroid hormones and cancer immunity – learning from adrenocortical carcinoma

Project description

This project is interdisciplinary in nature and combines the expertise of the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology with that of the Department of Cellular Immunotherapy. It also benefits from a vibrant national and international cooperation network.

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare and very aggressive form of cancer that responds poorly to existing immuno-oncological therapies. Approximately 60% of patients experience an excess of glucocorticoids, which inhibits the immune system and is associated with a poor prognosis. In previous work, we were able to show that these tumors contain fewer immune-active cells and that important immune checkpoint molecules are only weakly expressed, which explains the limited effectiveness of existing immunotherapies.

As part of the project, a novel cellular immunotherapy with genetically modified CAR-T cells was therefore developed. ROR1 was identified as a suitable target antigen for adrenocortical carcinomas. ROR1-specific CAR-T cells showed a strong antitumor effect in preclinical cell culture and animal models. However, this effect was limited under conditions of glucocorticoid excess. Through targeted genetic modification of the glucocorticoid receptor using CRISPR/Cas9, CAR-T cells were generated that are protected against this hormonal inhibition and remain effective even under these conditions.

These results form the basis for an initial clinical study with ROR1-CAR-T cells (LION-1). The aim of the project, which is now getting underway, is to further investigate the influence of various steroid hormones on CAR-T cells and to analyze the safety and efficacy of the therapy in improved preclinical models in order to further optimize its clinical application.

Specifically, the project encompasses

The project will investigate how sex hormones influence the function of CAR-T cells. Since a significant proportion of patients with adrenocortical carcinoma have elevated androgen levels, there is a particular focus on the influence of these hormones on the effectiveness of the therapy. The project will analyze how genetically modified ROR1-specific CAR-T cells respond to different hormonal conditions.

In addition, new and improved CAR-T cell strategies are being developed and tested to overcome mechanisms that can lead to an insufficient or diminishing response to therapy. The aim is to further increase the effectiveness and sustainability of CAR-T cell therapy.

Another focus is the investigation of the mode of action of CAR-T cells in suitable, immunocompetent mouse models of adrenocortical carcinoma. In addition, safety strategies are being evaluated that can be used to control or reduce possible side effects of the therapy, for example, by specifically switching the CAR-T cells on and off or by eliminating them in a controlled manner.

Overall, the project is making an important contribution to the development of personalized CAR-T cell therapy for adrenocortical carcinoma and, beyond that, to the establishment of innovative cellular immunotherapies for hormonally active tumor diseases.

This is what you can look forward to

• Challenging, diverse and evolving area of responsibility


• Attractive salary according to TV-L incl. annual special payment


• Training and Continuing Education


• Retirement Pension Plan


• Company daycare center with extended opening hours


• Company sports program


• Flexible Working Hours


• JobBike


• Corporate Benefits

Become part of the team: Apply now!

Dr. rer. nat. Laura-Sophie Landwehr
Postdoctoral Researcher, Biomedizinerin, Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin
Tel: [phone]

In the case of a university degree from a non-EU country, a long version of the certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education is required.

Remuneration is in accordance with the relevant collective agreements. Severely disabled applicants will be given preference if they are otherwise equally qualified.