PhD Student (f/m/x) in the Field of Neuroimmunology

Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen e.V. (DZNE)

PhD Student (f/m/x) in the Field of Neuroimmunology
Code: 1333/2024/8

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated PhD student to conduct research at the interface of neuroscience and immunology.

The student will be a member of the ‘Translational Neuroimmunology’ research group, led by Dr. Róisín McManus, which is based at the DZNE in Bonn and is also associated with the Institute of Innate Immunity at the University Hospital Bonn and the ImmunoSensation2 Cluster of Excellence.

Our research focuses on understanding how microglia-mediated neuroinflammation contributes to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, we examine how immune signaling and metabolic changes combine to modulate microglial function, affecting disease outcome.

Your role in detail
Our recent work has uncovered that consumption of a western diet can drive lipid changes that activate microglia, causing neuroinflammation. Using a series of animal models of dementia, murine cell culture models, and samples from patients, the goal of your PhD will be to unravel the innate immune pathways mediating these neuroinflammatory changes and thus contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.

Specifically, this position will involve cell culture work using murine and human cells, immune activation assays, and state-of-the-art lab techniques (metabolic assays, flow cytometry, fluorescence imaging, RNA sequencing, and biochemical techniques, e.g. western blot, quantification assays). Combining diet treatments, pharmacological inhibition, and genetic depletion approaches, the successful applicant will assess the full impact of western diet on microglial activity in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro.

Your qualifications

• A MSc degree in one of the following fields: immunology, neuroscience, biology, or a similar discipline
• Previous experience in experimental animal work and immunology, neuroscience, or cell metabolism research would be very beneficial
• FELASA accreditation is a strong plus
• Hands-on experience in cell culture (e.g. murine microglia or microglia generated from human iPSCs) and biochemistry techniques (protein assays, western blot, PCR); familiarity in immunohistochemistry or flow cytometry is a plus
• Fluency in English for communicating, writing, and presentation of scientific data
• Enthusiasm for exploring and innovating new techniques
• Willingness to work in a diverse and interdisciplinary team of international scientists

What our employees value

• Innovation and internationality – a forward-looking infrastructure, modern laboratory and office equipment, software tools, and the opportunity for international exchange with your colleagues from 65 nations
• Work-life balance – we reconcile work and private life with flexible working hours, mobile working, 30 days' holiday (on top free on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve) and subsidized job / Germany ticket options
• Family-conscious corporate culture – because we know that family is important, we support you with parent-child offices, family services, and daycare cooperations
• Health promotion – through our extensive range of company health programs, in cooperation with Sozialwerk.Bund
• Focus on development – training programs tailored to your individual needs and annual HR development meetings for concrete prospects and potential development
• Remuneration and conditions according to TVöD-Bund – including annual special payment, capital-forming benefits, and VBL supplementary pension scheme
• Personalized onboarding – for a good start to your new professional challenge
• A feel-good working environment – our Bonn employees enjoy a campus surrounded by greenery, with on-site parking and public transport connections as well as our company restaurant
• Weekly seminars – on immunology, neuroscience, and other biomedical topics by national and international speakers
• Possibility to present results at national and international conferences
• A position, which is initially limited to two years