PhD student (f/m/x) in Translational Viral Immunology
UK Koeln, New Bremen, Ohio, United States
PhD student (f/m/x) in Translational Viral Immunology
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department I of Internal Medicine
TV-L: 25 h/week (64,94%) Fixed-term contract for three years pursuant to the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG) (third-party funded project). Your salary will be based on TV-L.
Your tasks You will independently plan and execute a translational PhD project with direct clinical relevance. Your responsibilities include:
Detection, analysis, and functional characterization of
HIV-1 envelope sequences
In vitro and in vivo testing of
HIV-1 antibody sensitivity
Analysis of
HIV-1 sequence diversity
and viral antibody resistance mechanisms
Assessment of the impact of resistance-associated mutations on
viral fitness
Establishment and performance of
immunological and virological assays , including:
Primary cell work and cell culture
Virus cultures
PCR, cloning, and molecular biology techniques
Flow cytometry, ELISA, immunohistochemistry
Analysis of
large viral sequence and phenotypic datasets
Presentation of results at internal meetings and
national and international conferences
Preparation of manuscripts with the goal of publishing in
high-impact international journals
Division of Infectious Diseases – Department I of Internal Medicine
Your profile You are an enthusiastic early-career scientist with a strong academic background and curiosity-driven mindset:
Excellent
Master’s or Diploma degree
in life sciences, medicine, or a related field
Solid knowledge of
immunology, virology, molecular biology , or related disciplines
Strong scientific motivation and independence
Ability to work effectively in a
collaborative, interdisciplinary team
Excellent English skills
(spoken and written); German is desirable but not required
Please submit your application including:
Detailed CV
List of publications (if applicable)
Contact details of two references
Brief description of your research interests
Our offer
We offer a highly clinically relevant translational research project in a young research group and a stimulating and internationally highly competitive environment
Freedom and the support to design, implement, and direct own research projects and strong promotion of professional development
Full access to state-of-the-art technology platforms and facilities to carry out cutting edge translational research
A constantly growing group of highly motivated researchers
A wide range of advanced techniques in the field of molecular and cellular biology, virology, infectious diseases, and immunology
Flexible working time models to support family life
Your future with us We are one of the leading university hospitals in Germany and network research, teaching and health care at the highest level. That’s why many things are a lot bigger for us: the spectrum of exciting development opportunities. The limitless openness with which specialists from all over the world work together here. Our commitment as an employer to support all employees as best we can in reconciling their job with their goals and life situations.
This is the University Hospital of Cologne: Everything but ordinary.
Your future in detail The translational research group is led by
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. Philipp Schommers, MD/PhD
and is funded by the
German Research Foundation (DFG)
through the
Emmy Noether Programme . The group is located on the central campus of the University Hospital Cologne.
Our research aims to develop
novel experimental and computational approaches
to detect and understand antibody resistance in HIV-1–infected individuals. This work will contribute to improved prediction of HIV-1 antibody sensitivity and inform future strategies for
HIV treatment and prevention . The successful candidate will work in a
highly innovative, interdisciplinary, and international environment , with the opportunity to drive collaborations with leading national and international partners.
For more information, please visit:
Applications from female candidates are expressly welcome and will be given priority in the event of equal suitability, competence and professional performance. People with disabilities are welcome to apply and will be treated preferentially in the event of equal suitability and qualification.
Contact Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. Philipp Schommers Tel: +49 221 478-89659
Universitätsklinikum Köln AöR Geschäftsbereich Personal Kerpener Str. 62 50937 Köln
Application deadline: 8 March 2026
Job-ID: th3ql2f6
We look forward to receiving your application and getting to know you!
#J-18808-Ljbffr
TV-L: 25 h/week (64,94%) Fixed-term contract for three years pursuant to the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG) (third-party funded project). Your salary will be based on TV-L.
Your tasks You will independently plan and execute a translational PhD project with direct clinical relevance. Your responsibilities include:
Detection, analysis, and functional characterization of
HIV-1 envelope sequences
In vitro and in vivo testing of
HIV-1 antibody sensitivity
Analysis of
HIV-1 sequence diversity
and viral antibody resistance mechanisms
Assessment of the impact of resistance-associated mutations on
viral fitness
Establishment and performance of
immunological and virological assays , including:
Primary cell work and cell culture
Virus cultures
PCR, cloning, and molecular biology techniques
Flow cytometry, ELISA, immunohistochemistry
Analysis of
large viral sequence and phenotypic datasets
Presentation of results at internal meetings and
national and international conferences
Preparation of manuscripts with the goal of publishing in
high-impact international journals
Division of Infectious Diseases – Department I of Internal Medicine
Your profile You are an enthusiastic early-career scientist with a strong academic background and curiosity-driven mindset:
Excellent
Master’s or Diploma degree
in life sciences, medicine, or a related field
Solid knowledge of
immunology, virology, molecular biology , or related disciplines
Strong scientific motivation and independence
Ability to work effectively in a
collaborative, interdisciplinary team
Excellent English skills
(spoken and written); German is desirable but not required
Please submit your application including:
Detailed CV
List of publications (if applicable)
Contact details of two references
Brief description of your research interests
Our offer
We offer a highly clinically relevant translational research project in a young research group and a stimulating and internationally highly competitive environment
Freedom and the support to design, implement, and direct own research projects and strong promotion of professional development
Full access to state-of-the-art technology platforms and facilities to carry out cutting edge translational research
A constantly growing group of highly motivated researchers
A wide range of advanced techniques in the field of molecular and cellular biology, virology, infectious diseases, and immunology
Flexible working time models to support family life
Your future with us We are one of the leading university hospitals in Germany and network research, teaching and health care at the highest level. That’s why many things are a lot bigger for us: the spectrum of exciting development opportunities. The limitless openness with which specialists from all over the world work together here. Our commitment as an employer to support all employees as best we can in reconciling their job with their goals and life situations.
This is the University Hospital of Cologne: Everything but ordinary.
Your future in detail The translational research group is led by
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. Philipp Schommers, MD/PhD
and is funded by the
German Research Foundation (DFG)
through the
Emmy Noether Programme . The group is located on the central campus of the University Hospital Cologne.
Our research aims to develop
novel experimental and computational approaches
to detect and understand antibody resistance in HIV-1–infected individuals. This work will contribute to improved prediction of HIV-1 antibody sensitivity and inform future strategies for
HIV treatment and prevention . The successful candidate will work in a
highly innovative, interdisciplinary, and international environment , with the opportunity to drive collaborations with leading national and international partners.
For more information, please visit:
Applications from female candidates are expressly welcome and will be given priority in the event of equal suitability, competence and professional performance. People with disabilities are welcome to apply and will be treated preferentially in the event of equal suitability and qualification.
Contact Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. Philipp Schommers Tel: +49 221 478-89659
Universitätsklinikum Köln AöR Geschäftsbereich Personal Kerpener Str. 62 50937 Köln
Application deadline: 8 March 2026
Job-ID: th3ql2f6
We look forward to receiving your application and getting to know you!
#J-18808-Ljbffr