Ph.D. Student and research assistant in CAR T cell engineering for cancer immunotherapy (m/f/d)
Part-time (65%)

Application deadline: 31/10/2025

The Translational CAR T Cell Research Program (Director: Univ.-Prof. Michael Hudecek) at the University Hospital Würzburg, Department of Medicine II, is inviting applications for a PhD student and research assistant to join a cutting-edge project in cancer immunotherapy.

• A 3-year fully funded position with salary according to the German public service scale (TV-L), based on your qualifications and experience.
• A Part-time position (65%)
• A stimulating, internationally recognized research environment at one of Europe’s leading CAR T cell centers.
• Access to extensive national and international collaborations in cancer immunotherapy and glycoscience.
• Company pension scheme: We support your financial security in retirement.
• Flexitime: Allows you to organize your working hours flexibly.
• Comprehensive company sports programs: Our own gym (Milon circuit training) helps you stay fit and healthy.
• Own company day-care center with extended opening hours (5:30 – 18:00): To help you better balance work and family.
• Extensive training and further education at our own academy: We promote your personal and professional development.

• Genetic engineering of CAR T cells with a focus on modulating glycosylation pathways.
• In-depth functional analyses in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo using AML and MM models.
• Application of molecular biology techniques including vector cloning, Western blotting, and real-time PCR (qPCR).

Project description

You will contribute to an exciting new research initiative — recently funded by Deutsche Krebshilfe and IMS— that aims to modulate glycosylation to improve the antitumor efficacy of CAR T cells. These projects investigates how glycan modifications affect CAR T cell function and how these insights can be applied to develop next-generation therapies against Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Multiple Myeloma (MM) and other malignancies.

The team is led by Dr. Andoni Garitano, MBA, who heads an interdisciplinary group with expertise in cellular immunotherapy, glycoengineering, and translational medicine.

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate who:

• Holds or is close to completing a Master’s degree in biomedicine, biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related discipline.
• Has hands-on experience in:
  • T cell immunology and molecular biology
  • Vector design and cloning
  • Western blot and real-time PCR
  • Multi-color flow cytometry and data analysis (e.g., FlowJo, GraphPad Prism)
• Ideally has worked with mouse tumor models and holds FELASA.
• Is enthusiastic, results-oriented, well-organized, and eager to tackle scientific challenges creatively and independently

• Challenging, diverse and evolving area of responsibility
• Attractive salary according to TV-L incl. annual special payment
• Training and Continuing Education
• Retirement Pension Plan
• Company daycare center with extended opening hours
• Company sports program
• Flexible Working Hours
• JobBike
• Corporate Benefits