PhD student (f/m/div) in Rheumatology project: The role of B cells

The successful applicant will join the laboratory of Gerhard Krönke, head of the Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology at the Charité hospital, Berlin. The candidate will be based at the rheumatology research laboratory of the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and work in close cooperation with the Deutsche Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin (DRFZ), ein Leibniz Institut, both located at the Campus Charité Mitte in central Berlin.

Project description

The laboratory of Gerhard Krönke has contributed key insights into aspects of both the innate and adaptive immune response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune diseases (including Nat Immunol 2017, J Exp Med 2017, Nature 2019, Immunity 2021, Nat Med 2022, J Exp Med 2023, Nature 2024). The group uses advanced approaches including single-cell and spatial sequence analysis, confocal and lightsheet microscopy, metabolic analysis and high-dimensional spectral flow cytometry to address this complex matter. The proximity to the clinic allows for the extensive analysis of human blood and tissue samples, including longitudinal studies. In addition, the group uses a variety of murine models of autoimmune arthritis, including reporter and (conditional) knock-out strains.

For this project, we are searching for a motivated PhD student who will join our efforts into understanding the B cell response in rheumatoid arthritis. Recently, the lab has made significant gains into understanding the functionality of disease-relevant B cells both systemically and in the target tissue, in patients as well as in murine models. Additionally, the group is involved in the analysis of experimental clinical therapies that target B cells and plasma cells and are showing great promise for the treatment of autoimmune disease. The challenge now is to not only understand the direct contribution of B cells to the disease pathology but also to elucidate how the development or depletion of B cells affects other components of the immune system in RA.

Your profile

The ideal candidate should have:

– an internationally recognised Master’s degree in a relevant topic

– an eligibility to live and work in Germany

– an interest in immunology and a willingness to work with both human material and animal models

– an analytical and critical mindset.

– experience with common immunological techniques including cell culture, flow cytometry and microscopy is highly desired.

– experience with single cell sequencing and data analysis as well as the possession of a FELASA B qualification would be an advantage but not essential.

– Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (essential) and German (advantageous)

If you are interested in this position, please send an application with cover letter and CV to Gerhard.Kroenke@charite.de

Application deadline: 19 May 2024

All suitable applicants will be treated equally regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, nationality or disabilities. Everyone is welcome!