PhD Candidate for the Division of Personalized Immunotherapies
Kennziffer: 2025-0252
- Mainz
- Full-time
- HI-TRON Mainz - Personalized Immunotherapies
„Forschen für ein Leben ohne Krebs“ – das ist unsere Aufgabe am Deutschen Krebsforschungszentrum. Wir erforschen, wie Krebs entsteht, erfassen Krebsrisikofaktoren und suchen nach neuen Strategien, die verhindern, dass Menschen an Krebs erkranken. Wir entwickeln neue Methoden, mit denen Tumore präziser diagnostiziert und Krebspatient:innen erfolgreicher behandelt werden können. Jeder Beitrag zählt – ob in der Forschung, in der Administration oder der Infrastruktur. Das macht unsere tägliche Arbeit so bedeutungsvoll und spannend.
The Helmholtz Institute HI-TRON is a collaboration of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) with the Research Institute for Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (TRON gGmbH), the University Medical Center Mainz and the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. The goal of the partnership is to develop effective immunotherapies and to identify novel biomarkers for assessing the effectiveness of treatment.
To strengthen the HI-TRON team in Mainz, we are seeking a motivated and talented
The Division of Personalized Immunotherapy (headed by Prof. Dr. Özlem Türeci) at HI-TRON Mainz is looking for a PhD student with a strong background in tumor immunology or a related field. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of next-generation ADCs with enhanced immune-modulating potential. This is a unique opportunity to join a multidisciplinary team committed to advancing personalized immunotherapies and gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge techniques with direct clinical relevance.
Ihre Aufgaben:
Antibody–Drug Conjugates (ADCs) are a rapidly advancing class of cancer therapeutics that combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the potency of cytotoxic agents. Upon internalization into tumor cells, ADCs release their cytotoxic payload, causing targeted cancer cell death via DNA or microtubule disruption. Beyond their direct cytotoxic effects, emerging evidence shows that ADCs can also trigger immune activation. They may induce immunogenic cell death, activate the cGAS-STING pathway, promote dendritic cell maturation, and facilitate T-cell priming and tumor infiltration. Additionally, through their Fc domains, ADCs can engage natural killer (NK) cells to mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), collectively reshaping the tumor microenvironment (TME).
Understanding these immune-modulating effects is essential to optimize ADC-based therapies. In our study, we plan to systematically investigate two clinically relevant HER2-targeting ADCs, each bearing distinct cytotoxic payloads (Trastuzumab Deruxtecan and Trastuzumab Emtansine). These models will allow us to explore how payload differences influence both tumor cell killing and immune modulation within the TME. In addition, we will evaluate these ADCs in “cold” versus “hot” tumor settings. This will help us elucidate why ADCs may be more effective in immune-infiltrated tumors and identify the key immune players responsible for this effect. Furthermore, we aim to identify novel combination partners that could synergize with ADCs to enhance tumor control. This includes testing combination strategies such as siRNA-mediated inhibition of DNA repair using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), co-administered with ADCs to enhance tumor cell vulnerability and immune response.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and conduct experiments to evaluate the immune-modulatory effects of HER2-targeting ADCs
- Analyze and interpret data related to anti-tumor immunity, cell death mechanisms, and DNA damage response
- Present research findings, progress updates, and strategic input to the team
- Collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and technicians
Ihr Profil:
- Master’s degree in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, bioengineering, or a related field
- Strong interest in tumor immunology and drug development
- Experience in cell culture, immunological methods, and/or preclinical animal models
- Highly organized, quality-conscious, and able to work independently
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
- Collaborative mindset and effective interpersonal skills
- Ability to meet deadlines with attention to detail and efficiency
Please submit your application including a cover letter, CV and your bachelor's and master's degree transcripts via our online application portal.
Unser Angebot:
- Hervorragende Rahmenbedingungen: modernste state-of-the-art Infrastruktur und Möglichkeit zum internationalen Austausch auf Spitzenniveau
- Zugang zu internationalen Forschungs-Netzwerken
- Doktorandengehalt mit den üblichen Sozialleistungen
- 30 Tage Urlaub
- Flexible Arbeitszeiten
- Möglichkeit zur Teilzeitarbeit
- Familienfreundliches Arbeitsumfeld
- Nachhaltig zur Arbeit: Vergünstigtes Deutschland-Jobticket
- Entfalten Sie Ihr volles Potenzial: gezieltes Training und Mentoring durch das DKFZ International PhD Program und den DKFZ Career Service
- Unser betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement bietet ein ganzheitliches Angebot für Ihr Wohlbefinden
Sie sind interessiert?
Dr. Ibrahim Murathan Sektioglu
Telefon: +49 (0)6131/179816
Bewerbungen per E-Mail können leider nicht angenommen werden.
Bitte beachten Sie auch, dass wir per Post eingereichte Bewerbungen nicht zurückschicken können.
