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At the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), we are committed to excellence in research, education, and comprehensive healthcare across our clinics. Every day, our team of approximately 16,100 dedicated employees works to make the world a healthier place. Our goal is to be one of the leading university hospitals while also being the best employer in our industry.
At UKE, we believe that meaningful and successful work should align with our employees' personal needs and individual lifestyles. Just as diverse as these needs are, so too is the variety of personalized solutions we offer.
Welcome to the UKE.
. Student (Research fellow junior) (all genders) - Research Institute Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg
Main tasks
At the Research Institute Children's Cancer Center at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, a position as a graduate student (PhD student) is available in the research group Developmental Neurobiology and Paediatric Neuro-oncology (head Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schüller, https:///en/research/braintumors) as of 01.11.2025. In principle, an earlier or later start is conceivable. Participation in the structured PhD programme of the faculty is possible.
Brain and spinal cord tumours remain as one of the biggest unsolved challenges in children’s cancer research. The Department for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at the UKE is one of Europe’s largest centres for paediatric oncology, with a particular focus on the treatment and research of CNS tumours. Several national and international clinical trials and registries for brain tumour patients are coordinated by the clinic’s HIT-MED trial centre. Furthermore, Germany’s neuropathological reference centre for ependymoma and CSF-diagnostics is situated in Hamburg. In combination with a broad preclinical research portfolio, the UKE is one of Germany’s leading centres for paediatric neuro-oncology and offers unique opportunities to investigate childhood brain and spinal cord tumours. Our research group consists of an interdisciplinary, highly motivated team which applies a broad spectrum of methods ranging from in vivo-modelling to advanced multi-omics technologies to find new ways of diagnosing and treating brain and spinal cord tumours in children.
Within the scope of your PhD-project, you will apply cutting edge technologies, like single cell RNA-sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, to investigate how intra- and intertumoral heterogeneity shape the biological foundations of paediatric CNS-tumours and how they contribute to therapy resistance. Whereas the first part of this project focuses on the analysis of human samples, the second part will consist of applying these findings in in vitro- and in vivo-models. The project will be performed in cooperation with the group of Prof. Kristian Pajtler at the Hopp-Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg.
This is a parttime position with 65% percent of the regular weekly working hours and is initially limited to three years as part of a third-party funded research project.
Your Profile
1. Excellent scientific degree (Master’s degree or equivalent in biology, molecular biosciences or a related subject)
2. Strong interest in molecular science and high motivation to work on an ambitious project
3. Excellent collaborative teamwork with strengths in communication and independent thinking
4. Knowledge of basic methods of molecular biology
5. Ideally first experience with single cell- and spatial transcriptomics technologies, especially the Xenium in situ‑platform or a strong interest to learn these methods
6. A general openness to carrying out mouse experiments is necessary for this position. First experience in in vivo-modelling and animal research are welcome, but not mandatory. All necessary techniques can be learned in our group, and we offer to obtain a FELASA B-certificate (licence to perform research with animals)
7. Basic programming skills (. R, Python) and experience with omics data are welcome
8. Ability to prepare, present and publish scientific data
9. Proficiency in English (spoken and written)
10. Candidates with equivalent skills and experience and high interest in the research area described are also welcome to apply
Please include the following documents in your application: CV, high school diploma, degree certificate, letter of motivation, at least one letter of recommendation and supporting documents.
Immunity status
Please note that employment is contingent upon proof of immunization or immunity against the measles virus, in accordance with applicable legal and medical requirements. Documentation (., vaccination certificate) must be provided before employment begins.
Our Offer
11. Well-funded, innovative research project with access to cutting edge technologies (e. g. single cell and spatial transcriptomics core facility, DNA-methylation profiling
12. Close mentoring by experienced postdocs and PI, including continuous support by full-time bioinformaticians
13. Opportunity to work in cooperative projects with other leading centres for paediatric neuro-oncology, e. g. the Hopp-Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg
14. A diverse program of guest lectures, seminars, grand rounds
15. The opportunity to attend and present your work at international conferences
16. Comprehensive onboarding and open knowledge exchange within the team
17. Attractive compensation according to TVöD/VKA
18. Secure employment with meaningful work and respectful collaboration
19. Comprehensive onboarding and open knowledge exchange within the team
20. Extensive training and further education programs at our UKE Academy for Education and Careers
21. Opportunities to contribute to our “UKE INside” personnel policy through cross-professional and cross-hierarchical projects
22. Sustainable travel: subsidies for the Deutschlandticket as a job ticket, and Dr. Bike bicycle service
23. Family-friendly working environment: cooperation on childcare, free vacation childcare, advice for employees with relatives in need of care
24. Excellent health, wellness, and sports programs
25. A wide range of dining options in our staff restaurant, with additional choices available at the “Health Kitchen” cafés, bistros, and an on-site supermarket
Contact
26. Contact to the department
David Ghasemi // Prof. Dr. U. Schüller
27. Recruiting contact
Recruiting Team
+49 (0) 40 7410-52599
About us
We live diversity and value variety
We offer a work environment that provides equal opportunities regardless of age, gender, sexual identity, disability, ethnic and social origin, or religion. This is confirmed by our accession to the Charter of Diversity. We explicitly aim to increase the proportion of women in management positions, especially among scientific personnel in research and teaching. Women with equal qualifications will be given priority. The same applies in the case of under-representation of one gender in the advertised area. Persons with severe disabilities with equal aptitude, competence, and professional performance will be given priority.
> Learn more about "Diversity at UKE" here.
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