Ph.D. student position (f/m/d)

Application deadline: 06/01/2026

The Department of Experimental Biomedicine at the Rudolf Virchow Center/University Hospital Würzburg invites applications for 1 Ph.D. student position (f/m/d – paid according to TV-L) to investigate a new fundamental cellular effector mechanism in blood platelets and immune cell that drives thrombo-inflammation in various disease settings.

We offer a stimulating atmosphere, excellent infrastructure, and the possibility to work on a highly innovative project in the excellent scientific environment of the Würzburg Platelet Group, CRC1525, University Hospital and Rudolf-Virchow-Center for top-level basic, translational as well as clinical research.

Successful PhD applicants will have the opportunity to enroll to an international graduate program at the Graduate School of Life Sciences in Würzburg.

The positions are available from March 1, 2026 and are initially fixed term.

Salaries are competitive and commensurate with experience, following the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of German Federal States TV-L (E13). The University of Würzburg is committed to diversity and equal opportunity and strongly encourages qualified women to apply. Severely handicapped applicants will be given preferential consideration if equally qualified.

PostDocs and PhD students will work on projects combining advanced imaging techniques (intravital multiphoton, super-resolution, lattice light sheet microscopy) and multi-omics approaches with mouse models of thrombo-inflammatory diseases. Besides microscopy, genetically modified mice, functional cellular assays as well as biochemical and molecular biology approaches will be part of the individual projects. Aim is to provide new insights into pathomechanisms and to explore experimental targeting in collaboration with our industrial partners.

Your profile as a PhD or MD/PhD student:

• University degree (Diploma, MSc, or equivalent) in Life Sciences, including Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedicine, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine or Medicine.
• Experience in experimental techniques relevant to this field is preferable.
• Strong interest in the field of experimental platelet research with a focus on infectious disease/immunology or cardiovascular biology.
• Team player with self-initiative, creativity and an independent and responsible work ethic.
• You have very good knowledge of spoken and written English as well as computer literacy.

Further Details

All positions are linked to the ERC-Advanced Grant Project PITT-Inflame. In our laboratory, we study platelets and their precursors, the megakaryocytes, in health and under diseased conditions. We utilize mouse genetics, disease models, advanced imaging techniques and clinical research expertise to study how the platelet-megakaryocyte axis drives thrombo-inflammation. Specifically, we are interested in translational research that deciphers molecular mechanisms of the mentioned diseases and aim to ultimately develop novel treatment concepts for these disorders.

The ERC-funded PITT-Inflame project, started on October 1, 2024, follows an interdisciplinary approach focusing on platelet / immune cell adhesion receptors and their non-canonical use in thrombo-inflammation. The project investigates the hypothesis that platelets have the capacity to use their principal adhesion/signalling machineries in two fundamentally different ways and thereby switch between the haemostatic and a thrombo-inflammatory effector programme. Parts of the work will be performed in close collaboration with pharmaceutical industry aiming at translating basic research into clinical application.

• 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.