As a transregional provider of secondary to quaternary care, the RWTH Aachen University Hospital combines patient-oriented medicine and nursing, teaching, and research at an international level. With 35 specialist services, across 30 institutes and five interdisciplinary units, the university hospital covers the entire medical spectrum. Our unique setting of a single building hosting health care, research and teaching offering the best conditions for intensive interdisciplinary exchange and close clinical and scientific networking. Around 8,500 employees ensure that holistic patient-oriented management and nursing care is delivered consistently according to recognized quality standards over 45,000 inpatient episodes, through 1400 beds, and 200,000 outpatient attendances per year.

The Clinic of Gastroenterology, Metabolic Diseases and Internal Intensive Care (Medical Clinic III) - project " Inflammation-driven phase transition in alcohol-related cirrhosis" within the framework of the IZKF joint research project "Metabolic injury as driver of organ-dependent phase transition" - are seeking a

PhD Student Immunology (f/m/d)

The part-time position (25,03 hours/week) starts on 1st January 2023 funded for the period of 3 years (IZKF funding).

The project is positioned at the interface between immunology and hepatology. Our lab investigates the interplay between immune cells in patients with advanced liver disease. The main aim of this project is to improve our understanding of the processes driving sterile injury-driven versus bacterial infection-driven phase transition in alcohol-related cirrhosis. We will characterize the immunological landscapes of cellular compartments, soluble mediators, and consequences of inflammation-related acute hepatic decompensation in these two settings. The position is supported by a grant from the Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research within the faculty of Medicine at the RWTH Aachen University.

Tasks:

• Collecting and processing of patient samples for downstream analysis.
• Delivering a high-resolution study of the cellular composition of immune cells in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis using flow cytometry, mass cytometry (CyTOF) and single-cell RNA sequencing.
• Identifying soluble mediators and underlying mechanisms of immune modulation in alcohol-related cirrhosis using in vitro cell culture assays.
• Identifying biomarkers with discriminatory ability for infection- and injury-related phase in alcohol-related cirrhosis using ELISA or Luminex assays.
• Documentation of laboratory practices and writing manuscripts for publications.
• Presentation of work in project team meetings, seminars and conferences.

Profile:

• Successful completion of a Master’s degree in Biology, Immunology or an equivalent discipline.
• Applicants should have strong interest and hands-on laboratory experience in the field of immunology and related fields.
• Solid experience in immunological techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work within a team and very good English language skills.
• Experience and familiarity scientific methods such as flow cytometry, mass cytometry, transcriptomics, single cell RNA sequencing and primary in vitro cell cultures are desired.
• Passionate and motivated about clinical research with a publication in immunology is beneficial.
• Proficient in use of a PC and common Microsoft Office packages as well as work specific laboratory instrumentation software.

Why should you choose us?

• 300 professions under one roof - more variety is not possible.
• We offer performance-based remuneration in accordance with the provisions of TV-L (EG13), including attractive public service benefits.
• In addition to a wide range of further education and training opportunities we offer a wide range of health promotion options as well as the extensive university sports program.
• Monthly employee discounts through our corporate benefits program to save on private shopping.
• Flexible working hours so that you can better combine work and private life, because your work-life balance is important to us.
• Attractive conditions for public transport or discounted employee parking so that you have a relaxed commute.
• A company kindergarten so that your children are always close by

This position is not gender specific.

The RWTH Aachen University Hospital promotes equal opportunities and diversity. Applications from women are expressly encouraged and if the applicant is suitable qualified, they will be given priority in accordance with the LGG. If suitably qualified, people with a registered disability will also receive priority.

Weekly hours are negotiable.

Please note that taking up this role can only occur after a pre-employment health check has confirmed evidence of immunisation (or evidence of immunity) according to paragraph 20, section 3 of the infection prevention law (vaccination for COVID-19).

You should preferably use our digital application portal at www.karriere.ukaachen.de for your application. There you have the option of securing your documents in the electronic application folder to prevent unauthorized access. Applications that reach us by email to: bewerbung@ukaachen.de (this transmission path cannot be as effectively secured) will be transferred to the aforementioned portal and any accompanying documents will be disposed of in accordance with data protection regulations immediately after transfer. After the retention period has expired, the data in the portal will also be deleted. If you do not agree to a transfer to the Application portal your application cannot be considered.

Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Clinic of Gastroenterology, Metabolic Diseases and Internal Intensive Care (Medical Clinic III), Univ.-Prof. Dr. Christian Trautwein, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen.

The application deadline for the advertised position GB-P 38678 is 3rd of January 2023.

For more detailed information please contact Prof. Dr. Tony Bruns, Tel.:+49 (0)241/ 80-80866, E-Mail: tbruns@ukaachen.de.