Biology PhD Position at UKE, Germany | Apply & Earn Upto €91,100
If you are a Master’s degree graduate in the life sciences looking to advance your expertise in molecular immunology and translational disease modeling, this fully funded doctoral position at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) is an exceptional opportunity. Located in Hamburg, Germany, this position inserts you directly into a newly established, high-profile collaborative research framework. For ambitious researchers searching for a high-impact Biology PhD track, this project offers hands-on mastery over inducible T-cell receptor (TCR) inactivation models, advanced flow cytometry, and mucosal immunology. It serves as an elite operational launchpad to build a long-term academic or industrial career, standing out as a premier choice for anyone looking to secure a cutting-edge Biotechnology PhD or a prestigious PhD in Germany within a world-class university hospital ecosystem.
- PhD Position (all genders) – CRC 1700
- Job-ID:J000006618
- Organization:UKE_Zentrum für Innere Medizin
- Category: Research & Science
- Department: I. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik
About the University
The University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) is one of Europe’s leading university hospitals, combining excellence in medical research, academic education, and comprehensive healthcare. With a dedicated team of approximately 16,100 employees, the UKE operates as a major hub for breakthrough translational medicine in northern Germany. This doctoral research is hosted by the I. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik within the Zentrum für Innere Medizin and is integrated into the newly established Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1700: “Immune Regulation in the Liver: From Homeostasis to Disease.” CRC 1700 focuses on dissecting the cellular mechanisms that govern hepatic immunity. By joining this collaborative cluster, you will work alongside top-tier immunologists and clinical scientists, utilizing innovative mouse models to address critical knowledge gaps in severe, immune-mediated liver diseases.
Biology PhD – Key Responsibilities
The core research project addresses the pathogenesis of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a chronic, destructive autoimmune liver disease affecting the bile ducts. Because effective causal therapies are lacking, this project uses a novel translational mouse model to systematically isolate the roles of specific pathogenic T-cell populations. A key methodological milestone of the project involves using inducible T-cell receptor (TCR) inactivation to selectively ablate antigen recognition in antigen-experienced T cells. This allows the lab to functionally distinguish between antigen-specific and antigen-independent (bystander) T-cell activity in the liver—a mechanism highly relevant to autoimmunity, viral infection, and tumor biology. Your Main Tasks:
- Immune Cell Characterization: Performing multi-color flow cytometry to phenotypically characterize murine immune cell subsets isolated from liver tissue.
- Virology & Culture Workflows: Managing virus culture systems and performing viral titration assays in cell culture models.
- In Vitro Functional Assays: Setting up and executing in vitro functional T-cell assays (e.g., proliferation, cytokine secretion profiling) to advance this Biology PhD.
- Translational In Vivo Experiments: Conducting precise animal experiments using specialized mouse models of autoimmune liver disease and viral infection.
- High-Resolution Imaging: Generating, processing, and analyzing high-dimensional immunofluorescence microscopy data.
- Scientific Dissemination: Analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data at internal seminars as well as national and international scientific congresses to support this Biotechnology PhD.
- Manuscript Preparation: Drafting and finalizing high-quality scientific manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication.
Qualifications & Profile Requirements For Biology PhD
The UKE seeks a highly motivated, scientifically curious researcher who thrives in a collaborative, cross-functional team environment.
- Required Academic Standards:
- Educational Foundation: A completed scientific university degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related natural life sciences discipline.
- Desirable Skills & Experience:
- Previous theoretical training or hands-on laboratory experience in molecular immunology and microbiology.
- Prior experience handling laboratory animals or performing animal experimentation (FELASA B certification or equivalent is highly advantageous for this PhD in Germany).
- Strong analytical skills, precise record-keeping habits, and structural reliability.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills in English (the primary scientific language of the CRC).
Logistics, Compensation & Employee Benefits
- Location: Hamburg, Germany (UKE Eppendorf Campus – On-Site).
- Contract Durability: Temporary 3-year fixed-term contract in accordance with the German Higher Education Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG).
- Job Reference Identifier: Job-ID: J000006618.
- Closing Date: Applications are active until July 27, 2026.
- Work Schedule: Part-time allocation set at 65% of the regular weekly working hours (optimized for doctoral research tracks).
- Compensation Scale: Structured, transparent salary following the German collective bargaining agreement (TVöD/VKA). The full-time reference equivalent ranges from €63,600 to €91,100 annually; your 65% salary will be calculated based on your qualifying experience and background.
- Professional Development: Tailored training programs at the UKE Academy for Education and Career, offering long-term academic and industrial career prospects.
- Commuting Subsidies: Financial support for the Deutschlandticket as a job ticket and access to the Dr. Bike bicycle service.
- Work-Life Balance & Wellness: Family-friendly infrastructure including partnerships for childcare, free vacation care, and dedicated employee support lines. On-campus access to excellent sports programs, employee restaurants, and wellness centers.
- Immunity Mandate: Employment is strictly contingent upon providing official medical proof of immunization or immunity against the measles virus prior to your formal start date.
- Closing Date: 27.07.2026
Contact The Department
- Name: Dr. med. Jenny Krause
- Email: [email protected]
In short, the PhD Position within CRC 1700 at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf is a definitive route to transitioning your Master’s degree into a high-visibility, publication-backed research asset. Securing this appointment allows you to work at the forefront of liver immunology, mastering advanced TCR ablation techniques, multi-color flow cytometry, and translational in vivo designs. If you reside in or can relocate to Germany, meet the life sciences criteria, and possess a drive for collaborative discovery, apply before the July 27, 2026 deadline to secure this premier Biology PhD, launch an exceptional Biotechnology PhD, and lock in this outstanding PhD in Germany.
