PhD-student (f/m/d) - Cell Biology and Immunology

The research group Translational Neuroinflammation under the direction of Prof. Martin Weber focuses on understanding pathological and immunological mechanisms in the development and progression of demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). We mainly focus on multiple sclerosis, Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease (NMOSD) and anti-MOG antibody-associated disease.   

The Project:

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS. For relapsing-remitting MS, huge progress has been made in the development of various disease-modifying therapies, which effectively reduce the number and the severity of new relapses as well as MRI activity. 

There are a few project options available to choose from. One aim would be to test suitable candidates for the treatment of MS via animal models and in vitro analysis. For in vivo experiments, we will utilize the murine MS model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as well as the cuprizone-induced model of demyelination. For in vitro experiments, primary cell cultures of CNS-resident cells will be used. The main methods of this study will be among others flow cytometry, magnetic-activated cell sorting, ELISA, qPCR and immunohistology. Another project idea is to analyze already acquired liquor samples from patients using mass spectroscopy. It is still unknown how inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS develops and using this method we aim to find possible biomarkers to be used as a diagnostic marker and potential treatment criteria.

Your Responsibilities:

• plan and perform experiments
• analyze the experiments, interpret and present the data
• co-supervision of interns
• participation in the writing of scientific publications
• present their work at conferences 

Your Profile:

• excellent and highly motivated applicant with a master’s degree in immunology, neurology, biology or similar field of study
• organizational and team skills, flexibility, open-mindedness, communication skills
• readiness of mind, diligence, and self-dependent working
• experience with murine disease models and with methods used in cellular and molecular biology (FACS, ELISA and qPCR) will be advantageous but not a requirement or experience with liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Our Offer:

• a challenging workplace in a multi-disciplinary, cooperative team
• a highly innovative project with room for creative freedom
• state-of-the-art equipment
• support of personal advancement via intensive mentoring, promotion of networking, and mental as well as practical support in research activities

We look forward to hearing from you!

The University Medical Center Göttingen is committed to professional equality. We therefore seek to increase the proportion of under-represented genders. Applicants with disabilities and equal qualifications will be given preferential treatment.