PhD student

Better together. For life. At the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), we are committed to excellence in research, education, and comprehensive healthcare across our clinics. Every day, our team of approximately 16,100 dedicated employees works to make the world a healthier place. Our goal is to be one of the leading university hospitals while also being the best employer in our industry.At UKE, we believe that meaningful and successful work should align with our employees\‘ personal needs and individual lifestyles. Just as diverse as these needs are, so too is the variety of personalized solutions we offer. Welcome to the UKE.PhD student (all genders) – Liver Tolerance and AutoimmunityJob-ID:J Contract Type:TemporaryEmployment Type:Part timeClosing Date: Organization:UKE_Zentrum für Innere MedizinCategory:Research & ScienceDepartment:I. Med. KlinikMain tasksIn our newly funded Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1700, \“Immune Regulation in the Liver: From Homeostasis to Disease.\“ ) and integrated into our graduate school, the project B03 offer a PhD student position.CRC 1700 aims to understand the mechanisms governing immune regulation in the liver, a central metabolic organ constantly exposed to various endogenous and exogenous substances. Diseases of the bile ducts, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), are difficult to treat liver diseases and often progress to cirrhosis, liver transplantation or death. Their pathogenesis is poorly understood, but evidence suggests a key role for cholangiocytes, the epithelial cells lining the bile ducts. Cholangiocytes are targeted by immune cells, and this interaction may be modulated and triggered by the luminal environment of the bile ducts, including its microbiota and lipid metabolites. We aim to characterize the biliary microbiome in mice and men, and elucidate how microorganisms shape the interaction of cholangiocytes with immune cells and thus modify the course of disease. Understanding the functional role of cholangiocytes in shaping the hepatic immune cell function might help to identify novel treatment targets for autoimmune cholangiopathies.Reference for this project:Your tasks:Analyse the biliary microbiome in human and mouse and investigate the impact of the identified bacteria and metabolites on differentiation and activation of immune cellsInvestigate the interaction of cholangiocytes with immune cells in vivo and in vitro using co-culture with 3D-cholangiocyte organoidsStudy in vivo mouse models of acute and chronic cholangitisGenerate and interpret data: FACS, ELISA, WB, IHC, NGS, sc and snRNA-seq, spatial transcriptomicsPrepare and present your scientific data on national and international meetingsPrepare manuscriptsThis position is temporary for three years in accordance with the WissZeitVG and to be filled with 65 % of the regular weelky working hours.Your ProfileApplicants should hold a diploma or master degree in biology or related life sciencesDocumented interest, skills and experience in immunology and microbiology are welcomeThe successful candidate should be highly motivated and able to work in a team and collaborate with other research groupsImmunity statusPlease note that employment is contingent upon proof of immunization or immunity against the measles virus, in accordance with applicable legal and medical requirements. Documentation (e.g., vaccination certificate) must be provided before employment begins.Our OfferAttractive compensation according to TVöD/VKASecure employment with meaningful work and respectful collaborationComprehensive onboarding and open knowledge exchange within the teamExtensive training and further education programs at our UKE Academy for Education and CareersOpportunities to contribute to our \“UKE INside\“ personnel policy through cross-professional and cross-hierarchical projectsSustainable travel: subsidies for the Deutschlandticket as a job ticket, and Dr. Bike bicycle serviceFamily-friendly working environment: cooperation on childcare, free vacation childcare, advice for employees with relatives in need of careExcellent health, wellness, and sports programsA wide range of dining options in our staff restaurant, with additional choices available at the \“Health Kitchen\“ cafés, bistros, and an on-site supermarketContactContact to the departmentProf. Dr. Christoph SchrammRecruiting contactRecruiting Team About usWe live diversity and value varietyWe offer a work environment that provides equal opportunities regardless of age, gender, sexual identity, disability, ethnic and social origin, or religion. This is confirmed by our accession to the Charter of Diversity. We explicitly aim to increase the proportion of women in management positions, especially among scientific personnel in research and teaching. Women with equal qualifications will be given priority. The same applies in the case of under-representation of one gender in the advertised area. Persons with severe disabilities with equal aptitude, competence, and professional performance will be given priority.Apply NowEmployerErstes gesamtzertifiziertes Universitätsklinikum Deutschlands