Beschreibung

The Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology at the University Hospital Düsseldorf (UKD) at the Heinrich Heine University (HHU), headed by Prof. Dr. Arndt Borkhardt, is one of the leadingt clinical centers for the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer in Germany. The clinic is part of the University Tumor Center (UTZ) at the UKD and the Center for Integrative Oncology Aachen-Bonn-Cologne-Düsseldorf (CIO-ABCD), which is funded by the German Cancer Aid. It is a founding partner of the German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) Essen-Düsseldorf and participates in international research consortia and study groups. The clinic operates a fully equipped research laboratory (safety level 1 and 2 according to the Genetic Engineering/Biotechnology Ordinance, including a GMP, next generation sequencing, flow cytometry, life cell imaging, and high-throughput drug testing facility) with 5 research groups and >30 staff working in an interdisciplinary manner on the fundamentals of childhood cancer and in the field of therapy optimization. We are looking for a highly motivated PhD Student who is interested to work in the field of pediatric tumor immunology starting in 11/2025-1/2026. You will be joining the project ‘Profiling the tumor-immune landscape of children with hematologic malignancies to improve diagnosis and treatment stratification’ focused on analyzing the bone marrow niche that supports pathogenesis of pediatric hematological malignancies. You will establish and apply CODEX multiplex tissue imaging alongside flow cytometry and NULISA proteomics to characterize immune cell infiltrates and their spatial and functional interactions with malignant cells. Together with a bioinformatician, you will integrate these high-dimensional datasets with clinical responses to define microenvironmental signatures that can be subsequently validated using in vivo models. Candidates should have a solid understanding of standard molecular biology techniques including but not limited to tissue culture, FACS analysis, immunoblot, ELISA, PCR and histology. Experience with animal models is a plus (as is FELASA B certification). Willingness to learn and work with murine experimental models is a requirement.

Responsibilities include:
- Collaboration with physicians, biologists, bioinformaticians and technical assistants
- Generation, processing and analysis of the data generated in the study in collaboration with bioinformaticians
- Conducting functional studies for validation of your findings
- Assisting in writing of publications on the topic
- Presentation of results at national and international conferences and meetings
- Collaboration with intramural, national and international cooperation partners - Master in natural sciences or related field
- Excellent written and spoken English language skills, German language skills are a plus
- Very good oral and written communication skills
- Very good organizational and project management experience
- Motivated and independent work
- Willingness to cooperate and ability to work in a team
- Experience in working with animals (FELASA B) is a plus, willingness to work with animals a requisite Remuneration is based on TV-L in pay grade 13 (65%), taking into account all previous periods of employment. The employment contract will be concluded with Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf.
Applications from women are expressly welcome. Women will be given preferential consideration if they have the same qualifications, skills, and professional performance, unless there are reasons related to a male competitor that outweigh this. Severely disabled applicants will be given preferential consideration if they have the same qualifications.

We offer:
- challenging and varied tasks in a committed, interdisciplinary team
- attractive opportunities for further training and development
- opportunity to travel and present at international meetings and conferences