PhD position (m/f/d) - pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic approaches in autoimmune rheumatic diseases

With around 8,000 employees, the University Hospital with its subsidiaries is one of Düsseldorf's largest employers and is constantly developing. Due to its size and optimal equipment as well as the connection to research and teaching, the University Hospital offers a wide range of tasks that make the daily work routine extremely diverse. For this reason, we are looking for motivated people who embrace change processes and see them as a personal challenge. The Clinic for Rheumatology and Hiller Research Unit from the Heinrich-Heine-University and University Hospital Düsseldorf invites applications for a:

PhD position (m/f/d) – pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic approaches in autoimmune rheumatic diseases

The employment is initially limited for a period to 31.08.2023. In accordance with §2 Abs. 2 of the Act of Academic Fixed-Term Contract (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz – WissZeitVG), the position is limited tothe exercise of a third-party funded project. We are seeking a highly motivated candidate for a PhD student position with a focus on pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic approaches in autoimmune rheumatic diseases in the research group of Prof. Jörg Distler / Dr. Alexandru-Emil Matei at the University Hospital Düsseldorf. The major goal of our group is to characterize pathogenic mechanisms that drive fibrotic diseases (with focus on systemic sclerosis), but also other autoimmune rheumatic diseases, i.p. from the group of connective tissue diseases, and to identify novel treatment strategies for these diseases. Our approaches include characterization of the signaling pathways with aberrant function in fibrotic diseases, drug discovery and validation in animal models of fibrosis and engineered 3D models of diseases, characterization of the interaction between fibroblasts and immune cells or endothelial cells in autoimmune rheumatic diseases, e.g. by multi-omics approaches, development of advanced 3D models/organoids as disease models. We are an international research group with members from different backgrounds, including biologists and clinicians, and with close collaborations with researchers from other fields such as bioinformatics, which ensures an interdisciplinary environment. We have unrestricted access to state-of-the-art technologies including next generation sequencing, mass cytometry, advanced imaging techniques. We thus provide the prerequisites for conducting a challenging, but highly rewarding PhD project.
The ideal candidate will receive intense training in the techniques required for his/her thesis, will benefit from learning interdisciplinary techniques and will have a wide range of possibilities to interact and work closely with clinical scientists. In addition, the team members will have opportunities to develop their independent line of investigation for their future career. Most importantly, the candidate must be interested in developing her/his career to become tomorrow's leader in academic research. The position is evaluated according to E 13 Tv-L. The employment contract is concluded with Heinrich Heine University. Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf aims to increase the proportion of women. Applications from women with equal suitability, qualifications and professional performance will therefore be given preferential consideration, unless reasons relating to the person of a competitor outweigh this. The application of suitable severely disabled persons and persons with equivalent disabilities according SGB IX is welcome. Applications should be written in English and should include:

• letter of intent (please state clearly what motivates you to apply for this position and what you believe you can bring to our research group)
• curriculum vitae
• attached university diploma
• brief summary of research experience and practical lab skills
• list of referees

By sending the application documents, the applicant agrees that these become the property of the University Hospital Düsseldorf and will not be returned for reasons of cost. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. med. Alexandru-Emil Matei alexandru-emil.matei@med.uni-duesseldorf.de Applications should be submitted within four weeks of release of this offer preferably by email to: