Phd Student Position

Job-Benachrichtigung per E-Mail As a tertiary and quaternary level provider of medical care, the University Hospital of RWTH Aachen combines patient-oriented medicine and care, teaching and research at an international level. The entire spectrum of medical care is provided through 36 specialist departments, 33 institutes and six interdisciplinary units. The co-location of patient care, research and teaching in a central building offers the best conditions for intensive interdisciplinary exchange and close clinical and scientific networking. Highly qualified teams of doctors, nurses and scientists work collaboratively to optimise the healthcare provision of our local, regional, national and international patients. Around 9,000 employees ensure that our care delivery is patient-oriented medicine and surpasses the highest quality standards. With 1,400 beds, the university hospital treats around 50,000 inpatient and 200,000 outpatient cases per year. The **Medical Clinic I (Klinik für Kardiologie, Angiologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin - AG Kahles)** is seeking a **PhD Student position (f/m/d) on the role of gut immune cells and cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, heart failure)**: The part-time position (25,03 hours/week/65%) starts as soon as possible, funded until 08th of May 2026 with option of prolongation. The successful applicant will be offered the opportunity to achieve a doctorate degree. Cardiovascular disease continues to be the main cause of death worldwide, despite improved risk management and modern pharmacological therapies. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches are desperately required to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Data from the last 2 decades have shown that inflammation plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and heart failure. Next to the spleen and the bone marrow, the intestinal tract contains one of the largest immune cell reservoirs of our bodies. The role of gut immune cells in driving the incidence and progression of cardiovascular disease such as coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction and heart failure is largely unknown. In this project we will investigate the hypothesis whether intestinal immune cells could be identified as a novel therapeutical target for cardiovascular disease. **Tasks** **The proposed project aims to unravel the functional role of gut immune cells in cardiovascular disease.** - animal experimental work (i.e. mouse surgery, mouse breeding) - molecular biology techniques (qPCR, Western Blot, ELISA, immunostaining, FACS; cell sorting) - writing of conference abstracts and publications - Optional: bioinformatic analysis, data science, statistics **Profile** - diploma or master's degree in biology/informatics or a related life science field - Knowledge in the following fields is an advantage: - Immunology - Experience in lab and animal work (more than > 1 year) - Flow cytometry - Research in small rodents (FELASA B certificate or equivalent) - Cell culture and cell isolation - Microsoft Excel/Graph Pad Prism - high (self-)motivation, creativity and ability to work on research projects independently and as part of a diverse collaborations are essential for this position - good communication in written and spoken English (Level C1) - high enthusiasm - reliability and flexibility - Teamplayer/teamwork skills in our research group **Why should you choose us?** - **300 professions** under one roof - more variety is not possible. - We offer performance-based remuneration in accordance with the provisions of **TV-L (EG 13)**, including attractive public service benefits. - In addition to a wide range of further education and **training opportunities** we offer a wide range of **health promotion options** as well as the extensive university sports program. - Monthly employee discounts through our **corporate benefits** program to save on private shopping. - Flexible working hours so that you can better combine work and private life, because your **work-life balance **is important to us. - Attractive conditions for public transport or discounted **employee parking** so that you have a relaxed commute. - A **company kindergarten** so that your children are always close by This position is not gender specific. The RWTH Aachen University Hospital promotes equal opportunities and diversity. Applications from women are expressly encouraged and if the applicant is suitable qualified, they will be given priority in accordance with the LGG. If suitably qualified, people with a registered disability will also receive priority. Weekly hours are negotiable. Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Herrn Univ.Prof. Dr.med. Nikolaus Marx, Direktor der Klinik für Kardiologie, Angiologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin (Med. Klinik I), Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen.