Doktorand / Doktorandin / PhD (m/w/d) Kinderonkologie und -rheumatologie

Clinical Research Unit CATCH ALL

The group for Translational Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) research sets in the Dept. of Pediatric Oncology and Rheumatology of the UKSH/CAU Campus Kiel. In close association with the ALL-BFM study center which conducts large international multicenter clinical trials in the AIEOP-BFM ALL consortium, we are investigating new pathways, targets and treatments for high-risk childhood ALL.

The position is available in close association with the DFG-funded Clinical Research Unit CATCH-ALL: Towards a Cure for Adults and Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Clinical and basic researchers join efforts in this interdisciplinary initiative to define mechanisms of leukemogenesis and treatment resistance across age groups. The final aim is to devise novel molecular and immunotherapeutic treatment strategies. The project is focused on the preclinical evaluation of new immunotherapy strategies in childhood

Start in our team

We are looking for professional and competent support to start as soon as possible for 3 years (with option for extension).

What we offer:

• The salary will be based on the German E13 TV-L scale (65%) if terms and conditions under collective bargaining law are fulfilled
• Part-time employment, currently 25 hours/ week
• Many employee discounts on various online platforms and with various companies
• Free in-house training and continuing education
• You can find more exciting benefits offered by UKSH here:Benefits (uksh.de)

Your tasks:

• Identification of novel therapeutic targets in pediatric ALL using large patient cohorts and development of high-throughput platforms and in vivo mouse models to assess preclinical drug efficacy
• Application of single-cell technologies, molecular biology tools (e.g. CRISPR/Cas9, overexpression systems), and advanced imaging
• Investigation of CNS-infiltrating ALL to uncover new pathways and therapeutic targets
• Support and expansion of a large patient-derived xenograft (PDX) biobank representing diverse ALL cases
• Collaborative work within the CATCH-ALL consortium to model high-risk genomic profiles and validate novel immunotherapies

Your profile:

• Degree, M.Sc. or equivalent, in life sciences an basic knowledge in cell biological and molecular genetic techniques
• Strong interest to independently acquire an in-depth understanding of the project background and to familiarize with novel methods
• The willingness to work with preclinical mouse models is mandatory    
• Experience in analysis of high-dimensional data sets (RNA-Seq) or programming skills are advantageous, but not a prerequisite
• Strong work ethic and focused mindset; ability to work collaboratively within the team and with external partner

Please submit your application by 08.06.2025, indicating the reference number 26506.