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.

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.

Company

The Helmholtz Association contributes to solving major challenges to assure the future of our society. With more than 47.500 people on staff in 18 national Research Centers and an annual budget of more than 6 billion euros, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organization. The name Helmholtz stands for concerted research, in which networks form the key principle behind inquiring thought and action.

The profile of the Helmholtz Association

The Helmholtz Association performs cutting-edge research which contributes substantially to solving the grand challenges of science, society and industry. To succeed in meeting these responsibilities, Helmholtz concentrates its work in six research fields: Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Information, Matter, as well as Aeronautics, Space and Transport. Within each of these fields, research programs are developed by our scientists and regularly evaluated by renowned international experts. Their evaluation forms the basis for the program-oriented funding that is allocated to Helmholtz research. Within the six research fields, Helmholtz scientists cooperate with each other and with external partners – working across disciplinary, organizational and national borders.

Moreover, Helmholtz specializes in large-scale research infrastructures – from accelerator facilities, earth observation satellites, research ships to supercomputers. They form the basis for scientific advances in tackling global societal challenges. Managing national research infrastructure is part of the Helmholtz Association's mission.

Promoting young academics

Helmholtz scientists, a high-performance infrastructure and modern and efficient research management are the ingredients to the Helmholtz Association‘s success and global impact.
Promoting young researchers is a major priority for the Helmholtz Association. Its qualification schemes for young researchers are geared mainly towards PhD students, postdocs and young managers. The Helmholtz Association has set high standards for its talent management. Its strategy begins with targeted recruitment of highly qualified staff at all levels, followed by comprehensive support aimed at further developing their potential. Ensuring equal opportunities is an essential element in all talent management activities undertaken by the Helmholtz Association.

The Helmholtz Graduate Schools and Research Schools at almost all Helmholtz Centers provide doctoral students with the general and specific skills and training they need, as well as ample opportunity to network. The period following a doctorate is decisive in determining the direction and success of a scientific career. For this reason, we established Career Development Centers for postdoctoral researchers in the Helmholtz Centers. This equips young researchers with the skills they need to go on to head a Helmholtz Investigator Group , for example. As an Investigator Group leader, junior scientists can independently set up their own group to conduct research in their specialist field and acquire management skills.

Within its talent management strategy, the Helmholtz Association pays special attention to the increased recruitment of talented female scientists both from Germany and abroad. To this end, there are currently two funding programs supporting this policy: and Helmholtz Distinguished Professorship – Funding for the recruitment of leading international female scientists (W3) .

The increasing complexity of the content, structures and framework conditions of scientific work today requires researchers to organize their projects, their employees and, of course, themselves in a highly professional and effective way. In response to these demands, we have set up the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to provide leaders in science with professional management training. Furthermore, the Helmholtz network provides a platform for the alumni of the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to come together and share their experiences of leadership, career development and lifelong learning.

All of this combined makes the 18 Research Centers of the Helmholtz Association a highly attractive environment for talented researchers from all over the world.

Company info

Telephone

0049-30-206329-0

Location

Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2
Berlin
Berlin
10178
Germany