The University Hospital Bonn (UKB) is one of Germany’s leading university hospitals, combining top-level performance in medicine and research with excellence in teaching. Each year, more than half a million patients receive inpatient and outpatient care at the UKB. Around 3,500 students study medicine and dentistry here, and over 600 people are trained annually in healthcare professions. With approximately 9,900 employees, the UKB is the third-largest employer in the Bonn/Rhein-Sieg region. In the Focus hospital ranking, the UKB ranks first among university hospitals in North Rhine-Westphalia and second nationwide in terms of case mix index (case severity). In 2024, the UKB raised nearly €100 million in third-party funding for research, development, and teaching. The F.A.Z. Institute has named the UKB “Germany’s Training Champion” and “Germany’s Most Attractive Employer” for the fourth consecutive year.


The following full-time (38.5 hours/week) position it the research group ‘Molecular Immunology’ of Prof. Florian I. Schmidt at the Institute of Innate Immunity, University of Bonn, offers the following positions in the context of our ERC proposal DEFLAMMATION on negative regulation of inflammation:


2 Postdoctoral Scientists (m/f/d)

The respective candidates would start on June 1st, 2026 (or at the earliest convenient time point).


As part of a research project, the position is fixed-term until May 21, 2029.


The Institute of Innate Immunity conducts basic research at the University of Bonn and is located on the campus of the University Hospital Bonn. We investigate how the innate immune system preserves health and under which circumstances it facilitates pathologies. We train scientists at all career levels in innate immunity, cell biology, and virology. We develop novel tools to investigate (and potentially treat) inflammatory and infectious diseases.


Research project on the negative regulation of inflammation by NLRC3 and NLRX1 using the following techniques:



Molecular and cell biology including generation of novel reporter cell lines and fluorescent readouts for inflammation (Cloning, generation of cell lines, functional readouts for inflammation by flow cytometry and cytokine assays)
Functional and biochemical experiments using camelid nanobodies to visualize and perturb NLR-based signalosomes (Protein expression and characterization, advanced fluorescence microscopy methods including super-resolution microscopy and proximity ligation assays)
CRISPR screens to identify novel components of signaling cascades that dampen inflammation (Fluorescence-activated cell sorting and survival screens, NGS)





Completed PhD thesis and experience/technical expertise in Virology, Immunology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or Structural Biology (or similar)
Motivated and enthusiastic to conduct cutting edge research at the interface of innate immunity, cell biology, and molecular biology
Strong proficiency in both written and spoken English
Reliable and able to work independently
Team-oriented, with open communication
Open and flexible to an interactive and internationally networked environment



Integration into the postdoctoral network of the Excellence Cluster Immunosensation 3
Cutting edge laboratory equipment and instrumentation
Exciting and unique techniques and methods

Responsible and diverse: A position with plenty of room for creativity and responsibility within a supportive and collegial team

Fair compensation TV-L EG13: Pay according to the TV-L collective agreement, including annual bonus and company pension scheme

Family-friendly flexibility: Flexible working time models, access to a place in our company daycare center, and programs supporting employees returning from parental leave

Smart commuting: Excellent connection to the SWB public transport network and the option of an interest-free loan for the purchase of an e-bike

Supported development: Individual training opportunities through...