PhD Student (m/f/d) in the field of Cardiac Immunometabolism

Application deadline: 31/07/2026

The Comprehensive Heart Failure Center Würzburg (CHFC) is an Integrated Research and Treatment Center supported by the German Ministry of Education and Research. More than 120 scientists conduct interdisciplinary basic, translational, and clinical research and provide innovative patient care in the field of prevention of heart failure and its medical complications. The CHFC's vision is to improve the awareness of heart failure as an urgent health challenge in society, to connect existing excellent basic science and clinical research and to implement preventive strategies for diagnostics and management as well as new therapies.

The Department of Translational Research investigates the molecular mechanisms of heart failure to identify potential therapies to prevent or ameliorate the disease. The department has a strong focus on how changes in the cardiac metabolism contribute to the development of heart disease. We apply state-of-the-art methods, including transcriptomics and metabolomics to elucidate how metabolic changes cause defects in cellular respiration, production of reactive oxygen species and alterations in metabolic substrate fluxes.

The CHFC seeks to appoint a

• The opportunity to work on a fascinating scientific topic in an international research team
• Continuous scientific mentoring and rigorous academic training
• Cutting edge technologies and methods in a vibrant scientific environment
• Training within the Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS) at the University of Würzburg
• Salary and benefits are according to the public service positions in Germany (known as TV-L)

• Conducting animal experiments in accordance with FELASA guidelines.
• Performing immunological, biochemical, and molecular biology laboratory techniques.
• Training and supervising students and research staff.
• Acquiring scientific expertise and independently developing research strategies.
• Presenting research findings at scientific conferences and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.
• Independently planning, designing, and conducting experiments.

In many cardiac diseases, such as myocardial infarction, cells of the innate and adaptive immune system infiltrate and play a critical role in healing and in tissue remodeling. Mitochondria are central metabolic hubs and cover the energy demand in immune cells. Notably, activation and differentiation of immune cells is dependent on changes in mitochondrial metabolism. In this project, we will investigate how dynamic chang­es in mitochondrial metabolism control innate and adaptive immune cell function in response to myocardial infarction. This collaborative project with the Max Planck Research Group for Systems Immunology in Würzburg is funded by the SFB 1525 “Cardio-Immune Interfaces”.

• Excellent Master’s degree in life sciences (or equivalent)
• Sound knowledge and strong interest in metabolism and/or immunology
• Experience with mouse models 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

Applicants with the following qualifications are preferred:

• Experience with molecular and biochemical standard lab methods
• Immune cell isolation and in vitro culture methods
• Experience with multi-color flow cytometry
• Experience with (single-cell) RNA-sequencing analysis and bioinformatics

Applications should contain a short motivation letter with a brief description of past scientific achievements and explaining the motivation to work here, a recent CV, copies of final certificates and contact details of two references.

Comprehensive Heart Failure Center,

Dr. Jan Dudek  

Am Schwarzenberg 15 · Haus A15 · 97078 Würzburg

For further information please visit www.dzhi.de

• 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.