PhD student in translational cancer research

• The project is based on published work by Dr. Julius Enssle, which describes the vaccination re-sponse and associated immunophenotypes of pa-tients with Multiple Myeloma during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We established a framework to investigate humoral and cellular immune responses after immunization or infection at granular scale. Main findings from this work highlighted a reduced immune response in patients with Multiple Myeloma with striking differences between the B and T cell compartment. Multi-modal single cell sequencing revealed a relevant association of CD4+ cytotoxic T cells and activated and mature NK-cell populations with SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. These results were published in the highly ranked scientific journals Blood, Leukemia and Cancer Cell (PMID 34657156, 35588736, 38049509).
• The aim of the proposed project is to elucidate the immune cell phenotypes and alterations following SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A/B vaccinations in Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients. In addition to the characterization of the humoral and cellular (non-) response, we focus on immune effector cell subsets and their transcriptional programs which govern their fate. Thereby, we aim to identify mechanisms and predictive models of MM patient-specific immunization responses.
• You will be tasked with planning, establishing and critically performing primary patient material measurements. Further, your work includes the computational analysis and modelling of the generated data and conducting follow-up in vitro experiments.
• To answer our scientific questions we are applying the following experimental techniques (among others): Serological immunoassays, plaque reduction neutralization tests, multi-color flow cytometry, flow-cytometry-based cell sorting, multi-modal single cell sequencing, BCR/TCR sequencing, bulk RNA sequencing, quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics, integrative bioinformatic and machine-learning-based data analysis and modeling.

• Collective agreement: In addition to an attractive salary based on a collective agreement TV-GU 13 (65%), with an annual special payment, you benefit from long-term security through company pension schemes.
• Attractive working environment: We offer you an interesting, versatile and attractive working environment in a highly motivated, international team consisting of MDs and PhDs with background in basic science, immunology, computational analysis/modeling and translational cancer research.
• Training program: Access to comprehensive further training program with access to DKTK School of Oncology and Mildred-Scheel Network.
• Scientific collaborations with leading international labs in the US and in Europe.
• Mobility: Free public transport in all Hessen (Free State Ticket Hessen)
• Campus: Our attractive university hospital campus offers a modern cafeteria, various cafes, and opportunities to rest in numerous green spaces. A walk on the riverside of the Main offers relaxation during breaks
• Work-Life-Balance: Part-time employment is possible, we offer childcare in our daycare center (if you have any questions, please contact Ms. Häfner at 069 / 6301 83863), child care during holidays
• Health Promotion: Benefit from our attractive health offers. We offer regular online and face-to-face courses on nutrition, relaxation, sports and exercise.
• Professional development: Internal and external training for your professional development
• Any questions? Many answers can be found in our FAQs for new employees. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Women are underrepresented in these positions at the University Hospital Frankfurt. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Disabled applicants are preferred if they have the same personal and professional qualifications.