Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) is Germany’s first private university. Founded in 1982, it has since established itself as a leading institution of higher education in Germany. Today, the university employs more than 900 staff members and enrolls approximately 3,700 students in its Faculties of Health as well as Business and Society. We offer you the opportunity to become part of a dedicated and interdisciplinary research team investigating the causes of infectious diseases. The position is embedded in a DFG-funded research project within an interdisciplinary research consortium focusing on the interactions between human adenoviruses, respiratory epithelia, and the innate immune system. The aim of the project is to elucidate the mechanisms of virus-host interactions in the upper respiratory tract and to develop novel strategies for adenovirus-based mucosal vaccines. Our research combines innovative organoid technologies with key questions in virus immunology and vaccine development. To this end, we establish cell culture and organoid models of the upper respiratory tract and use these systems to investigate virus-host interactions as well as to develop and preclinically evaluate adenovirus-based mucosal vaccines. The project is translationally oriented and addresses questions of high clinical relevance. The research group Translational Medicine is seeking a PhD Candidate (m/f/d) to join the DFG-funded project starting on September 15, 2026, or October 1, 2026. The position is offered at 50% of full-time employment and is initially limited to three years, with the possibility of extension. Salary will be according to the German public service pay scale (TV-L, typically E13, 50%). Are you interested in modern research in respiratory diseases and viral immunology? Then we offer a versatile and responsible position within a dynamic, motivated, and highly collaborative research environment. Establishment and characterization of cell culture and organoid models of the upper respiratory tract Investigation of virus-host interactions following transduction with different human adenovirus types Isolation, cultivation, and functional characterization of immune cells Investigation of epithelial-immune signaling pathways Application of modern molecular and cellular biology techniques, including: Flow cytometry Cell and organoid culturing qPCR and gene expression analyses Immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy Bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing Presentation of research findings at national and international scientific conferences Publication of results in international peer-reviewed journals An above-average university degree (Master’s degree, Diploma, or equivalent) in Biology, Biomedicine, Molecular Medicine, Immunology, Virology, or a related field Excellent expertise in flow cytometry and practical experience in cell culture techniques, particularly involving primary cells and/or organoid technologies Practical experience with molecular, immunological, and cellular biology methods Experience in the analysis of bulk and/or single-cell sequencing datasets and basic bioinformatics skills (e.g., R, Python, or comparable analytical tools) Strong interest in translational research in infection biology, immunology, and vaccine development Excellent written and spoken English skills High motivation for scientific research and the completion of a doctoral degree Independent, structured, and reliable working style Strong team spirit and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary collaboration An exciting PhD opportunity within an innovative DFG-funded research project Participation in an interdisciplinary and international research consortium Access to state-of-the-art technologies in organoid research, immunology, single-cell analysis, and transcriptomics Intensive scientific supervision and individual support for your academic and professional development Opportunities to attend national and ...