Student Assistant (max. 37 hours/month) - Translational Oncology/Immunotherapy/Genetic Engineering
Kennziffer: 2026-0158
- Heidelberg
- Marginal Employment
- Junior Research Group Pediatric Immuno-Oncology
The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is one of Europe’s largest cancer research centers. “Research for a life without cancer" is the mission of our world-class scientists and all our team members.
The DKFZ is a place where the brightest minds pursue bold ideas and seek answers to pioneering scientific questions through collaboration, innovation, and exploration across many disciplines. We provide a dynamic environment which empowers excellence with state-of-the-art technologies, cutting edge infrastructure, and a global scientific network.
Contribute your knowledge, vision, and dedication to create a space where scientific discovery in cancer research is transformed into benefits for human health.
The Junior Research Group Pediatric Immuno-Oncology (led by Dr. Dr. Franziska Blaeschke) is seeking, starting at the earliest date possible, a
Our research group was launched in March 2024 and uses advanced genetic engineering to improve immunotherapy of solid tumors. While treatment with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells has shown great success in pediatric leukemia, CAR T cells are still inefficient in most solid tumors. We have recently pioneered the use of CRISPR-based Modular Pooled Knockin Screens to study which (synthetic or natural) gene products can be overexpressed in primary human T cells to enhance the efficacy and fitness of CARs (Blaeschke et al., Cell, 2023).
The student assistant will support research projects focused on improving CAR T cell therapies for solid tumors. The work includes the application of cutting-edge gene editing technologies (e.g., CRISPR knock-in and knockout) and provides hands-on experience with a wide range of molecular biology, cell culture, and immunology techniques, including the isolation and culturing of primary human T cells, flow cytometry (FACS), and cytotoxicity assays.
Ihre Aufgaben:
- Isolation and cultivation of primary human T cells
- Molecular cloning
- Supporting the maintenance of routine tissue culture
- Assisting in the establishment of new experimental protocols and the optimization of novel technologies
- Supporting large-scale CRISPR screens, including CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, viral transduction, AAV-based gene delivery, and functional assays (e.g., cytokine release, proliferation, and cytotoxicity)
- Assisting with the maintenance of the laboratory infrastructure (e.g., inventory management and general laboratory organization)
- Collaborating with postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and technical staff
Ihr Profil:
- Enrolled in a university program (Master’s level) for the duration of the position
- Previous experience in general laboratory work, including mammalian cell culture (thawing, passaging, and maintaining cell lines), is required. Experience with primary human cells and T cell isolation is an advantage but not mandatory.
- Availability on Tuesday afternoons (from 12pm onwards) is highly desirable, as primary human T cell isolations are typically performed during this time. Working hours on other days can be arranged flexibly.
- Excellent communication skills and social competence
- Good command of written and spoken English
- High level of motivation, enthusiasm and responsibility
- Careful, reliable, and independent working style
Please submit a motivation letter (1 page) and a CV in one single PDF.
Unser Angebot:
- Hervorragende Rahmenbedingungen: modernste state-of-the-art Infrastruktur und Möglichkeit zum internationalen Austausch auf Spitzenniveau
- Zugang zu internationalen Forschungs-Netzwerken
- Flexible Arbeitszeiten
- Entfalten Sie Ihr volles Potenzial: gezielte Angebote für Ihre persönliche Entwicklung fördern Ihre Talente
- Unser betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement bietet ein ganzheitliches Angebot für Ihr Wohlbefinden
Sie sind interessiert?
Dr. Franziska Blaeschke
Telefon: +49 (0)6221/42-1370
Bewerbungen per E-Mail können leider nicht angenommen werden.
Bitte beachten Sie auch, dass wir per Post eingereichte Bewerbungen nicht zurückschicken können.
