PhD position in T cell engineering for treatment of multiple myeloma (m/w/d)

Application deadline: 31/10/2026

The University Hospital of Würzburg, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II – Chair of Cellular Immunotherapy (Lead: Prof. M. Hudecek), is inviting applications for a

A clinically embedded, highly translational project; close supervision by experienced scientists and clinician-scientists; access to patient-derived material, advanced technologies, and relevant in vitro and in vivo models; integration into an international team and TRR 338 network; and opportunities for specialist training, collaborations, publications, and presentations at national and international meetings. Employment at 65% according to TV-L E13, subject to the applicable institutional and funding regulations.

• Antigen-density studies: establish MM models with defined antigen expression and determine how antigen density and heterogeneity affect CAR-T activation, proliferation, cytokine production, serial killing, exhaustion, and tumor escape.
• Pharmacological screening: identify compounds and treatment windows that improve patient-derived CAR-T cell expansion, differentiation, metabolic fitness, persistence, and antitumor potency during manufacture or tumor exposure.
• Mechanistic characterization: compare optimized and conventionally manufactured CAR-T cells using phenotypic, functional, molecular, and metabolic analyses, repeated tumor challenge, and patient-derived material.
• In vivo validation: evaluate selected CAR-T products in relevant MM models by monitoring tumor burden, survival, CAR-T expansion, persistence, residual disease, and antigen expression at relapse.

Research environment

Our research develops and translates adoptive cancer immunotherapies based on genetically engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. The Department of Internal Medicine II (Chair: Prof. Dr. Hermann Einsele) operates one of Germany’s largest bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapy programs, offering outstanding opportunities for bench-to-bedside interaction, clinical education, and translational research. Our research focuses on the development and clinical translation of adoptive immunotherapy of cancer with T cells that have been modified by gene transfer to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). Despite impressive results in B cell leukemia and lymphoma, the development of CAR-T cell therapy for multiple myeloma still faces challenges, as this disease remains incurable for a substantial number of patients. We are currently conducting preclinical investigations to promote successful clinical translation (Project lead: Prof. Dr. Sophia Danhof). The project will be embedded in a stimulating international team of scientists, physicians, and technical staff as part of the Chair of Cellular Immunotherapy and the Department of Internal Medicine II which operates one of Germany’s largest bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapy programs. In addition, this project will be conducted in close collaboration with SFB/TRR 338 LETSIMMUN – Lymphocyte Engineering for Therapeutic Synthetic Immunity. The consortium provides interdisciplinary expertise in lymphocyte engineering, T-cell biology, immunometabolism, molecular profiling, and preclinical models.

Scientific background and project

BCMA-directed CAR-T cell therapy has produced unprecedented response rates in multiple myeloma (MM), but most patients ultimately relapse. Important resistance mechanisms include antigen escape and the limited fitness and persistence of patient-derived T cells. This doctoral project will determine whether pharmacological reprogramming during manufacturing or treatment can generate more potent and durable CAR-T cell products, including under conditions of low or heterogeneous antigen expression.

• Completed or nearly completed Master’s degree, or equivalent qualification, in immunology, molecular medicine, biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline.
• Strong interest in CAR-T cell biology, tumor immunology, multiple myeloma, and translational research.
• Experience in mammalian cell culture and standard cellular or molecular biology methods; experience with primary T cells, flow cytometry, genetic engineering, immune-cell assays, omics, or animal models is advantageous.
• Willingness to undertake the required training and participate in in vivo experimentation.
• Careful, independent, and collaborative working style, strong analytical and organizational skills, and very good written and spoken English.

• Anspruchsvolles, vielfältiges und entwicklungsfähiges Aufgabengebiet
• Attraktive Bezahlung nach TV-L inkl. Jahressonderzahlung
• Aus- und Weiterbildung in der eigenen Akademie
• Betriebliche Altersvorsorge
• Betriebskindertagesstätte mit verlängerten Öffnungszeiten
• Betriebssportangebote
• Flexible Arbeitszeiten dank Gleitzeitregelung
• Jobrad
• Mitarbeiter Angebote