The position will be funded by the German Research Council (DFG) and aims to understand “The role of the intestinal lamina propria stromal cell compartment in shaping “tissue niches” for intestinal immunity”.

Stromal cell biology is a rapidly emerging field due to the recently discovered multifaceted role of stromal cells in health and disease. In particular, we have shown that stromal cells are key niche providing cells and modulate various immune cells under tolerogenic conditions (Pasztoi & Pezoldt et al., Nat Comm, 2018; Pasztoi et al., Eur J Immunol, 2017). The main goal of our team is to reveal molecular mechanisms whereby immune cells at mucosal surfaces, including stromal cells, contribute to the maintenance of immunological tolerance or the development of intestinal perturbations (Kreft et al., Front Immunol, 2020; Ohnmacht et al., Science, 2015).

The PhD candidate will utilize cutting-edge technologies established in the lab (bulk- and single-cell RNA sequencing, multicolor flow cytometry, cell sorting, fluorescence microscopy, in vitro cultures including organoids, and in vivo mouse models).

Our institute  is shared between the Technical University and the Helmholtz Center Munich, thereby the PhD candidate will have access to both facilities, might benefit from both teaching programs and will become a member of a dynamic young team within the institute and with external collaborators.

Your qualifications

• University degree (M.Sc.) in Immunology, Biology, Molecular Medicine or similar
• High motivation, enthusiasm, and commitment to science
• First previous experience in cellular and molecular immunological techniques (multicolor flow cytometry, cell culture, fluorescence microscopy)
• Previous experience with bioinformatic analysis (R, R studio) and animal models will be considered advantageous
• Ability to work independently and goal-oriented
• An open and curious mindset and team spirit
• Excellent communication and scientific writing skills in English

Your application should include

• Letter of motivation expressing research interest and include a brief summary of previous projects
• CV
• Certificates of university degrees and transcript of records
• at least two references with contact information

Munich, with its numerous lakes and its vicinity to the Alps, is considered to be one of the cities with the best quality of life worldwide. With its first-class universities and world-leading research institutions, it offers an intellectually stimulating environment.

Remuneration and social benefits are based on the collective wage agreement for public-sector employees at federal level (EG 13 50% TV EntgO Bund). In addition, there is also the possibility of granting an allowance amounting to 15% if the necessary conditions are fulfilled. The position is (initially) limited to three years, but under certain circumstances, an extension can be arranged. The PhD position is available from October 1^st 2021 (negotiable).

To promote diversity, we welcome applications from talented people regardless of cultural background, nationality, ethnicity, gender and sexual identity, physical abilities, religion, and age. Qualified applicants with physical disabilities will be given preference.

If you are interested, please submit your application documents to

Dr. Maria Szente-Pasztoi

Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM)

Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center Munich

Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1.

85764 Neuherberg

E-mail: maria.szente-pasztoi@helmholtz-muenchen.de

The Research Training Group "Immunological Switches in Allergies and Autoimmune Diseases" (GRK 2668/1) at the Medical Faculty of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) offers with start date January 2021.

12 positions for Natural Sciences PhD students (m/ f /d)

Up to 40% of the population in industrialized countries suffer from allergic diseases and about 5-8% from autoimmune diseases with a further increasing prevalence. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases is urgently needed for the development of new diagnostics and treatment strategies. The scientific goal of this Research Training Group (GK), reviewed and funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), is to identify immune master switches (IMS) that orchestrate directional disease development.

We are looking for 12 motivated natural science PhD students for high quality project areas (for more information: www.xxx.de - will follow soon ), which are assigned to the two overarching thematic blocks allergy / allergic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. The special feature of the research training group is the cross-disciplinary character of the projects, which are based on state-of-the-art technologies (high-dimensional flow cytometry, viral gene transfer, live-cell imaging, pre-clinical disease models, single cell sequencing, cell culture with organ cultures and many more). In addition to the outstanding technical possibilities, candidates will be partnered with one researching medical collegue in research each (innovative tandem concept) and will thereby also gain insights into the problems and clinical presentations of allergies and autoimmune diseases. The aim is to uncover key mechanisms and switches in the development of these diseases.

We offer an excellent interdisciplinary research environment and beyond that:

• Employment for three years at a part-time rate of 65%.

• Interdisciplinary collaboration with a tandem partner

• Support by administrative structures of the TU (TUM Graduate School, TUM School of

  Medicine as well as Medical Graduate Center

• Inclusion in our mentoring program, one-on-one coaching, soft skills courses and targeted

  workshops / seminars to support your career.

  Our call for tenders is addressed to:
  Excellent natural scientists with a Masters degree.
  - Immunology, cell biology or molecular biology research experience - Laboratory experience

  If you are interested, please send us the following documents:

• Letter of motivation including a short statement on your current employment situation and your

  career goal.

• Degree certificates, Bachelor's and Master's degree certificates and the transcript of records

• Topic of the Master's thesis

• Curriculum vitae and list of publications

  Please send your application to Ms. Mensching (sonja.mensching@tum.de) by 15.09.2021.