PhD Student Biology - Antigen Presentation (m/f/d)

Thinking of doing your PhD in the Life Sciences? The International PhD Programme (IPP) Mainz is offering talented scientists the chance to work on cutting edge research projects within the open call on “Molecular Biomedicine & Ageing”. As an IPP PhD student, you will join a community of exceptional scientists working on diverse topics ranging from how organisms age or how our DNA is repaired, to how epigenetics regulates cellular identity or neural memory.

Activities and responsibilities

The research group of Ari Waisman offers the following PhD project (1-2 positions): Dendritic cells (DCs) are myeloid cells that are important in the activation of T cells in immune responses. We found previously that mice made genetically to express a self-antigen by DCs are resistant to the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model for the human central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis. We found that when the DCs express the self-antigen in a noninflammatory condition, they lead to the generation of Treg cells which subsequently control the disease and lead to tolerance. DCs activate T cells in the lymph nodes, but their role as antigen presenting cells (APCs) in other organs, is less clear. In addition, it is not clear if in addition to DCs also play a role in the activation or modulation of T cells. One specific population we are interested in are the endothelial cells of the blood brain barrier (BBB). Evidence indicates that these cells have the capacity to express MHC class II and thus to activate CD4+ T cells but this was never shown in a clear manner.

PhD project: Analysis of antigen-presenting cells interaction with T cells across the body during central nervous system autoimmunity

In the frame of this project, we will use a novel system, the so called LIPSTIC-system was generated at The Rockefeller University in New York that will allow us to label and analyze in an unbiased manner all antigen presenting cells in the body. The proposed project will make use of sophisticated mouse genetic systems, single cell sequencing and high dimensional flow cytometry as well as many other cellular and molecular methods used in the lab.

All You Need Is

Are you an ambitious scientist looking to push the boundaries of research while interacting with colleagues from multiple disciplines and cultures? Then joining the IPP is your opportunity to give your scientific career a flying start!

• Master or equivalent
• Interactive personality & good command of English
• 2 letters of reference

Benefits

We offer

• Exciting, interdisciplinary projects in a lively international environment, with English as our working language
• Advanced training in scientific techniques and professional skills
• Access to our state-of-the-art Core Facilities and their technical expertise
• Fully funded positions with financing until the completion of your thesis
• A lively community of more than 200 PhD students from 44 different countries

For more details on the projects offered and how to apply via the online form using the apply button.

The deadline for applications is 1 April 2026. Interviews will take place at IMB in Mainz on 22 & 23 June 2026.

Starting date: 1 July - 31 December 2026