As a tertiary and quaternary level provider of medical care, the University Hospital of RWTH Aachen combines patient-oriented medicine and care, teaching and research at an international level. The entire spectrum of medical care is provided through 36 specialist departments, 33 institutes and six interdisciplinary units. The co-location of patient care, research and teaching in a central building offers the best conditions for intensive interdisciplinary exchange and close clinical and scientific networking. Highly qualified teams of doctors, nurses and scientists work collaboratively to optimise the healthcare provision of our local, regional, national and international patients. Around 9,000 employees ensure that our care delivery is patient-oriented medicine and surpasses the highest quality standards. With 1,400 beds, the university hospital treats around 50,000 inpatient and 200,000 outpatient cases per year.

The Institute of Molecular Medicine is looking for a

The part-time position (65%/ 25,03 hours/week) starts as soon as possible and is funded for 3 years. The successful applicants will be encouraged to work towards a doctorate degree.

A PhD position is available at the Institute of Molecular Medicine of the RWTH Aachen University (https://www.ukaachen.de/en/clinics-institutes/title-en-78/research/ag-izcue/) to study the mechanisms of immune suppression during tumourgenesis.

The Institute of Molecular Medicine focuses on the organisation of immune responses in the intestine. The intestine is the largest permeable barrier in the body and a major potential entry point for pathogens. Therefore it requires a strong immune response. However, most of the antigens it encounters come from food and the commensal microbiota, and must be tolerated. Much of this intestinal tolerance is mediated by Foxp3+ CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), which control lymphocytes and innate immune responses and are essential for preventing intestinal inflammation.

Tregs can also have negative effects: they have the potential to prevent tumours from being rejected by the immune system. In this project, you will dissect the interactions between Tregs and cytotoxic cells in the steady state and during cancer development. We aim to use a combined approach employing mouse models and human tissue samples to investigate how tumours manipulate immune regulation, and how Tregs prevent cytotoxic responses against tumours. You will use state-of-the-art cellular and molecular biology techniques such as high-end flow cytometry (5-laser Cytek Aurora), transcriptional analysis and microscopy to understand how Tregs achieve control of anti-tumour cytotoxicity. 

Requirements for the candidate:

• MSc degree (or equivalent) in biology, biochemistry or a closely related subject
• Strong interest in mucosal immunology and/or tumour immunlogy
• Practical experience in basic lab techniques 
• Highly motivated, engaged and excited to work in an international team
• Proficient in spoken and written English (Level C1)
• Experience with animal models, flow cytometry and histology will be an advantage are desirable
• Ability to work as part of an international team
• Ability to analyze and interpret data