PhD Position (m/f/d) LIED

The DFG Research Training Group (RTG) “Autoimmune Pre-Disease” (GRK 2633) seeks to employ a graduate student from the area of biology.

Autoimmune diseases are a major clinical burden, affecting 4-5% of the population. Importantly, causative treatment is currently not possible, often requiring life‑long immunosuppression. While treatment is only applied upon clinical disease manifestation, autoimmune diseases develop over years – starting from the loss of tolerance toward self (autoimmunity), which, upon so far unknown trigger factors, may progress to clinically overt autoimmune disease. Unlike in cancer, for which screening for and treatment of pre‑disease prevents disease progression, screening for autoimmune pre‑disease is far from clinical routine due to the lack of definite biomarkers. However, if sensitive and specific biomarkers for future autoimmune disease could be identified, the clinical manifestations of the disease might be prevented by avoiding environmental factors that trigger disease or by use of therapy that modulates the destructive process before onset of clinical symptoms. Thus, defining and targeting autoimmune pre‑disease is the central, and so far, mainly unaddressed, scientific question of RTG 2633.

The RTG investigates Autoimmune Pre‑Disease in a multidisciplinary setting: Principal investigators are from basic sciences, such as Immunology, Genetics, Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, Systems Medicine, Anatomy, and Nutrition Medicine, as well as from clinical specialties, such as Dermatology and Rheumatology. Experimentally, the RTG focuses on rheumatic diseases and autoimmune skin diseases, such as pemphigus and pemphigoid. Computationally, the diseases are tackled through integrative multi‑Omics, machine learning approaches and modelling.

Start in our team

Join our team and start with us at the next possible date. The position is limited until with the option of extension within the duration of the RTG.

What we offer:

• In addition to their project‑related work, students of the RTG will benefit from a structured qualification and mentoring program
• Salaries are according to E13 65% positions (TV‑L)
• After successful completion of the program and depending on the initial degree of the student, the following degrees can be awarded: Dr. rer. nat., PhD or Dr. hum. Biol
• The prerequisite for entering the program is either a master or diploma degree
• Preference will be given to a candidate experienced in experimental disease/mouse models

The University of Lübeck and the UKSH are an equal opportunities employer. Applications from female candidates are strongly encouraged. In case of compatible qualifications, preference will be given to people with disabilities.

We look forward to receiving your application including CV, certificates and letters of recommendation by , quoting the advertisement number 28513.