PhD Position ( 50%) Translational Medicine with a Focus on Pediatric Infectious Diseases (m/f/d)

Witten/Herdecke University

Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) is Germany’s first privately funded university. It was founded in 1982 and has since established itself as a leading educational institution in Germany. Today, the university employs more than 900 staff members, and a total of 3,700 students are enrolled in the Faculties of Health Sciences and of Economics and Social Sciences in Witten.

Description of the position

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 with a Focus on Pediatric Infectious Diseases is seeking a

PhD Candidate (m/f/d)

to join the DFG-funded project starting on September 15, 2026, or October 1, 2026.

Your Research project

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.

• 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
  • Imunofluorescence and confocal microscopy
  • Bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing
• Analysis and interpretation of complex datasets in collaboration with bioinformaticians and project partners
• Presentation of research findings at national and international scientific conferences
• Publication of results in international peer-reviewed journals

Your Profile

• 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
• 30 days of annual leave and additional days off
• Work-life balance
• Direct access to medical care
• Several subsidies
• Continuing education program
• Eco-friendly mobility

Contact

Please submit your application online by July 21, 2026, including the usual application documents and indicating your earliest possible starting date.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Malik Aydin

Telefon: +49 (0) 2302 926-139

malik.aydin@uni-wh.de

Translationale Medizin mit Schwerpunkt Pädiatrische Infektiologie
Zentrum für Biomedizinische Ausbildung und Forschung

Concept of diversity

We explicitly live and promote the idea of diversity (www.uni-wh.de/diversity). We value the skills and special characteristics that our members contribute and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity. We actively strive to increase the proportion of women among our academic staff