PhD candidate (f/m/x) in Systems Medicine 1567/2026/8

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

The research area Systems Medicine (DZNE Bonn site) is recruiting a PhD candidate in the field of Molecular and Translational immunaging. We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to join our dynamic team and work at the forefront of omics technologies, organoid, animal models, and computational biology. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the understanding of the clinical impact of chronic PFAS exposure worldwide and to develop a blueprint for studying the immunotoxicity of other environmental pollutants.

In this role you will

• design and carry out single‑cell multi‑omics and high‑dimensional cytometry experiments
• develop and maintain organoid and animal model systems, and perform comprehensive data analysis using modern computational pipelines
• investigate PFAS‑driven changes in the immune system
• identify molecular pathways involved, and explore potential intervention strategies
• Your work will be conducted in close collaboration with experts in data and information sciences, immunology, and epidemiology, fostering a truly interdisciplinary environment
• work with fully established genomics, bioinformatics and wet-lab facilities and modular high-performance computing resources
• benefit from a membership in one of our graduate school programs

• Master or equivalent in molecular biology, immunology, bioinformatics, systems biology, or comparable topics
• Strong research background in immunology, cell biology, and genomics or transcriptomics
• Strong interest in omics technologies and computational analysis
• Practical experience in multi-color flow cytometry, molecular and cell biology, and transcriptomics is of advantage
• Experience with cell culture, flow cytometry, or animal models is highly desirable, as is proficiency in programming languages such as R or Python for high‑dimensional data analysis
• Practical experience in working with mice as animal models is of advantage.
• Practical knowledge of data analysis and machine learning using R or Python is of advantage
• Very good English proficiency
• Enthusiastic and collaborative work attitude
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team
• Excellent communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and a passion for addressing impactful questions in systems medicine are essential

The Systems Medicine group at the DZNE Bonn site is a diverse, international team that investigates how chronic inflammation, aging, exposome, and neurodegenerative diseases intersect with the immune system. Our current research focuses on per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), ubiquitous environmental contaminants, and aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms by which PFAS exposure alters immune function, especially in older individuals and in the context of non‑communicable diseases.

If you are eager to contribute to transformative research that bridges environmental exposure and immune health, we encourage you to apply.

For more general information, please also visit the website of Systems Medicine.
https://www.dzne.de/en/research/research-areas/systems-medicine/

If you have any questions regarding the advertised position, please contact Dr. Lorenzo Bonaguro

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.