PhD in Immunology (m/f/d) – Extracellular vesicles in allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Application deadline: 15/09/2026

Applications are invited for a PhD student position with principal investigator Dr. Haroon Shaikh on a German Research Foundation (DFG) funded project at the Department of Medicine II, University Hospital in Würzburg. Successful candidates will work in an interdisciplinary project evaluating extracellular vesicles as initiators of acute inflammation after allogenic stem cell transplantation and their prognostic role in risk stratification of graft-versus-host disease.

Our research group aims to better understand tumor microenvironment and allogenic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) with a focus on cellular mechanism and interactions resulting in pro- or anti-inflammatory responses (Flamman C* & Shaikh H* et al., 2025 Blood; Shaikh et al., 2025 bioRxiv; Jorgacevic I* & Shaikh H* et al., 2025 Cardiovascular Research;Shaikh H et al., 2022 JCI Insight; Shaikh H et al., 2021 Frontiers in Immunology).. State-of-the-art preclinical animal models, analysis of primary patients’ material together with cutting-edge technologies including advanced microscopy (confocal, light sheet fluorescent microscopy), cellular methods (flow cytometry) as well as RNA-seq approaches as well as numerous molecular biotechnological methods such as gain- and loss-of-function assays are applied in our projects.

• Attractive payment according to TV-L including company pension scheme and annual special payment
  
• Wide-ranging further training and individual further training in our own academy
  
• The opportunity to work on a fascinating scientific topic in an international research team
  
• Continuous scientific mentoring and academic training
  
• Training in the Graduate School of Life Science at the University of Würzburg

• Development of project: perform experiments, evaluate and quantify results ensuring the project evolves and fulfils the goals and work packages.
• Present your results at local meetings and national and international conferences.
• Assist with training other researchers, including Masters' and undergraduate project students.

• Excellent Master´s degree in life science (or equivalent)
• Sound knowledge and strong interest in immunology and cell biology
• Experience with conditional knock out mice and animal handling
• Fluent speaking and writing skills in English (German is not a must)
• Motivation, reliability and dedication to work in an academic research lab are a must

Applicants with the following qualifications are preferred:

• Hands-on knowledge of mouse models of cancer and/or autoimmunity
• Immune cell isolation and in vitro culture methods
• Experience with molecular, and biochemical standard lab methods

• 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

In the case of a university degree from a non-EU country, a long version of the certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education is required.

Remuneration is in accordance with the relevant collective agreements. Severely disabled applicants will be given preference if they are otherwise equally qualified.