PhD student positions in the MSCA DN Network Mac4Me

Organisation/Company: Universitätsmedizin Mannheim

Research Field: Medical sciences » Cancer research

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions: PhD Positions

Country: Germany

Application Deadline: 4 Apr 2025 – 12:00 (Europe/Berlin)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Hours Per Week: 40

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe – MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101168661

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Department of Immunology of Inflammation at the Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3, ) is seeking to fill positions for two Doctoral Students (m/f/d) initially for a limited period of 3 years with the possibility of continued employment thereafter. The gross salary amounts to 3.248,22 Euro monthly .

The classification is based on the job characteristics of the collective labour agreement applicable to the Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University. Heidelberg University aims to increase the proportion of women and therefore particularly encourages women to apply. Severely disabled persons with equal aptitude and qualifications will be given priority.

The positions are in the framework of the pan-European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (DC) Mac4Me (Macrophage Targets for Metastatic Treatment). Mac4Me consists of a multidisciplinary team of academic and non-academic partners across multiple countries in Europe. Mac4Me aims to understand the tumour cell-immune host interactions at the metastatic site, with an in-depth molecular and mechanistic understanding of the immune and matrix changes induced by tumour cells, to identify new immune targets. For more information about the Mac4Me Research Network and the specific PhD project, please use the following link:

Your tasks are:

1. Establish and use standardized protocols for induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived organ-specific macrophage generation and functionality testing
2. Biochemical, molecular and cell biological work on immune cell biology and the use of human macrophages (cell isolation, cell culture, cell stimulation and transfection)
3. Develop strategies for populating organ-on-chips (OoCs) with organ-specific macrophages and testing their functional capacities
4. Determine organ-specific targets of macrophage-tumour cell interaction

What you bring with you:

1. Master’s degree in life sciences or equivalent
2. Passion for the establishment of novel approaches to study the crosstalk between the immune system and the tumour
3. Experience in basic laboratory techniques (i.e. molecular biology, flow cytometry etc.)
4. Excellent organisational skills, initiative and independent working style
5. Analytical thinking and conceptual strength
6. Proficiency in spoken and written English

About us:

The Department of Immunology of Inflammation is being established at the Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience. We are equipped with state-of-the-art research facilities/technologies, and conduct interdisciplinary research in the areas of molecular signal transduction in cells and tissues associated with inflammation, immune disorders and tumour biology. Our projects elucidate mechanisms of the immune response that influence both the development and resolution of inflammation and aim to clarify their role in the tumour microenvironment, in both cellular and animal models. For our current work at Goethe-University Frankfurt, please see:

We offer:

1. Excellent research facilities with state-of-the-art equipment in a research-driven environment.
2. A highly motivated team; you will have the opportunity to participate in the building up of a new Department at the MI3.
3. The Mac4Me consortium offers a unique and innovative research training programme comprising both, scientific knowledge and transferable skills and integrating participatory science principles as a starting point.
4. The PhD candidate will work in close collaboration with the other candidates through a highly diverse educational agenda of online and face-to-face meetings. Importantly, each PhD has planned short-stay research visits at partner sites as an integral part of their PhD program.
5. Collaborative spirit and opportunities with national and international laboratories, excellent scientific environment and dedicated mentoring.
6. Internal and external training for your professional development.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Application deadline is March 29th, 2025. If you are interested in these PhD positions and would like to help identify future immune targets in cancer metastasis, please send your application with the reference Mac4Me-PhD2 and/or Mac4Me-PhD7 and the usual documents (cover letter, CV in tabular form, certificates, reference addresses) electronically, summarised in one PDF document, to Prof. Andreas Weigert ( ). Interviews will initially be conducted online. Traveling and application costs cannot be reimbursed.

Where to apply

E-mail:

Requirements

Research Field: Medical sciences » Cancer research

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Languages: ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field: Medical sciences » Cancer research

Additional Information

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim, University of Heidelberg

Country: Germany

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