Job Description

Better together. For life.

At the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), we are committed to excellence in research, education, and comprehensive healthcare across our clinics. Every day, our team of approximately 16,100 dedicated employees works to make the world a healthier place. Our goal is to be one of the leading university hospitals while also being the best employer in our industry.




At UKE, we believe that meaningful and successful work should align with our employees' personal needs and individual lifestyles. Just as diverse as these needs are, so too is the variety of personalized solutions we offer.

Welcome to the UKE.

PhD student (all genders) - Liver Tolerance and Autoimmunity

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Job-ID:

J000005774

Contract Type:

Temporary

Employment Type:

Part time

Closing Date:

02.02.2026

Organization:

UKE_Zentrum für Innere Medizin

Category:

Research & Science

Department:

I. Med. Klinik

Main tasks

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In our newly funded Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1700, “Immune Regulation in the Liver: From Homeostasis to Disease.” (

www.uke.de/sfb1700

) and integrated into our graduate school, the project B03 offer a PhD student position.



CRC 1700 aims to understand the mechanisms governing immune regulation in the liver, a central metabolic organ constantly exposed to various endogenous and exogenous substances. Diseases of the bile ducts, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), are difficult to treat liver diseases and often progress to cirrhosis, liver transplantation or death. Their pathogenesis is poorly understood, but evidence suggests a key role for cholangiocytes, the epithelial cells lining the bile ducts. Cholangiocytes are targeted by immune cells, and this interaction may be modulated and triggered by the luminal environment of the bile ducts, including its microbiota and lipid metabolites. We aim to characterize the biliary microbiome in mice and men, and elucidate how microorganisms shape the interaction of cholangiocytes with immune cells and thus modify the course of disease. Understanding the functional role of cholangiocytes in shaping the hepatic immune cell function might help to identify novel treatment targets for autoimmune cholangiopathies.

Reference for this project:

https://www.uke.de/kliniken-institute/kliniken/i.-medizinische-klinik-und-poliklinik/forschung/index.html

Your tasks:

Analyse the biliary microbiome in human and mouse and investigate the impact of the identified bacteria and metabolites on differentiation and activation of immune cells Investigate the interaction of cholangiocytes with immune cells in vivo and in vitrousing co-culture with 3D-cholangiocyte organoids Study in vivomouse models of acute and chronic cholangitis Generate and interpret data: FACS, ELISA, WB, IHC, NGS, sc and snRNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics Prepare and present your scientific data on national and international meetings Prepare manuscripts




This position is temporary for three years in accordance with the WissZeitVG and to be filled with 65 % of the regular weelky working hours.

Your Profile

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Applicants should hold a diploma or master degree in biology or related life sciences Documented interest, skills and experience in immunology and microbiology are welcome The successful candidate should be highly motivated and able to work in a team and collaborate with other research groups

Immunity status

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Please note that employment is contingent upon proof of immunization or immunity against the measles virus, in accordance with applicable legal and medical requirements. Documentation (e.g., vaccination certificate) must be provided before employment begins.

Our Offer

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Attractive compensation according to

TVöD/VKA

Secure employment with meaningful work and respectful collaboration Comprehensive onboarding and open knowledge exchange within the team Extensive training and further education programs at our

UKE Academy for Education and Careers

Opportunities to contribute to our “UKE INside” personnel policy through cross-professional and cross-hierarchical projects Sustainable travel: subsidies for the Deutschlandticket as a job ticket, and Dr. Bike bicycle service Family-friendly working environment: cooperation on childcare, free vacation childcare, advice for employees with relatives in need of care Excellent health, wellness, and sports programs A wide range of dining options in our staff restaurant, with additional choices available at the “Health Kitchen” cafés, bistros, and an on-site supermarket

Contact

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Contact to the department

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Prof. Dr. Christoph Schramm

c.schramm@uke.de

Recruiting contact

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Recruiting Team

+49 (0) 40 7410-52599

About us

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We live diversity and value variety

We offer a work environment that provides equal opportunities regardless of age, gender, sexual identity, disability, ethnic and social origin, or religion. This is confirmed by our accession to the Charter of Diversity. We explicitly aim to increase the proportion of women in management positions, especially among scientific personnel in research and teaching. Women with equal qualifications will be given priority. The same applies in the case of under-representation of one gender in the advertised area. Persons with severe disabilities with equal aptitude, competence, and professional performance will be given priority.

Apply Now

Employer

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Erstes gesamtzertifiziertes Universitätsklinikum Deutschlands