PhD in Early-Life Mucosal Immunology
Date: 20 May 2026
Location: Braunschweig
Company: Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH
Job advertisement no. 687
The Junior Research Group Early Life Immunity (ELIM) led by Natalia Torow, at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig, is offering the position of a
PhD in Early-Life Mucosal Immunology
The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH (HZI) is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres, the largest scientific organization in Germany. At HZI, researchers focus on developing strategies to improve the fight against infectious diseases. Their aim is to create new methods for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious compounds by studying both bacterial and viral pathogens and their interactions with the immune system, while also investigating new compounds with potential therapeutic effects.
The Early Life Immunity group at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany, is recruiting a highly motivated PhD student or postdoctoral researcher to join the project PERIO-IMPRINT – PERIOdontitis-driven IMPRINTing of mucosal immunity and oral–gut axis development in offspring.
The project investigates how maternal periodontitis shapes offspring immune development, with a particular focus on the oral–gut axis, mucosal barrier tissues, microbiota–immune interactions, and long-term susceptibility to inflammatory disease and vaccine responses. The project is embedded in a close international collaboration with Prof. Avi-Hai Hovav at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and will involve coordinated experimental work, data exchange, and scientific visits between the German and Israeli partner laboratories.
Project background:
Maternal inflammatory conditions can have lasting effects on offspring immune development, but the mechanisms linking maternal oral inflammation to postnatal mucosal immunity remain poorly understood. Using a mouse model of maternal ligature-induced periodontitis, this project will examine how maternal inflammation affects microbial colonization, epithelial barrier maturation, adaptive immune imprinting, and disease susceptibility in offspring.
The project will combine:
- In vivo mouse models of maternal periodontitis and offspring challenge models
- High-dimensional spectral flow cytometry
- Single-cell RNA-seq and VDJ sequencing
- Microbiota and epithelial barrier analyses
- Oral and intestinal mucosal immunology
- Cross-site collaboration between HZI and Hebrew University
Tasks:
You will help establish and execute experimental workflows to study immune development in offspring exposed to maternal periodontitis. Depending on experience level, your work will include:
- Planning and performing in vivo mouse experiments
- Processing oral, intestinal, lymphoid, and liver tissues for immune analysis
- Designing and applying high-parameter flow cytometry panels
- Analyzing mucosal immune cell populations, especially T cells, B cells, myeloid cells, and epithelial-associated immune programs
- Generating and/or analyzing single-cell RNA-seq and VDJ-seq datasets
- Integrating immunological, microbiological, and transcriptomic data
- Working closely with the Israeli partner laboratory and contributing to a true tandem project
- Presenting results at lab meetings, international project meetings, and conferences
- Preparing manuscripts and contributing to future grant applications
Requirements:
- Master’s Degree/Diploma in immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, infection biology, or a related field
- Excellent English communication skills (written and spoken)
- Willingness to perform in vivo mouse work
- Experience with or strong interest in multicolor / spectral flow cytometry
- Interest in single-cell genomics and computational analysis
- Abilty to work in a team
- Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative international project
- Careful documentation, reliability, and enthusiasm for mechanistic immunology
We offer:
- Modern laboratories, incl. BSL3
- State-of-the-art analytical instrumentation (spectral analyzer, sorting facility, single cell genomics pipelines)
- Ample biological profiling platforms (in vitro and in vivo)
- A lively scientific community and a corporate culture of appreciation & promotion of equal opportunities
- 30 days of vacation, (24.12. & 31.12. are considered as completely free days)
- An annual additional payment (Weihnachtsgeld) analogue to § 20 TVöD
- Social security included
- DO IT- Promotionsinitiative
- Welcome Office
- home office option
- Buddy System for new doctoral researchers
- Family Office, Child Holiday Care
- One of the strongest research region in Europe
- Central location within Germany, various metropolitan areas (i.e. Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Hannover) and recreational areas (i.e. Harz, Lüneburg Heath, North Sea) can be reached very quickly and easily by Train – it is also close to the airport Hannover.
The successful candidate will be part of the HZI International Graduate School for Infection Research (GS-FIRE) which provides an innovative structured PhD programme within the field of Infection Research.
People with severe disabilities and equivalent professional qualifications who are suitable for the position are given preference. In order to protect your rights, we ask you to provide us with a clearly recognizable reference to the existence of a degree of severe disability in your cover letter or resume.
The contract of employment is with the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH (HZI) in Braunschweig. The place of work is Braunschweig.
The HZI is actively committed to equality, diversity and integration. For this reason, the HZI pursues the goal of professional equality between women and men. The position is suitable for part-time work.
For more details regarding the position, please contact Natalia Torow via email: natalia.torow@helmholtz-hzi.de.
Please apply via our career portal.
Please include a cover letter, your CV, academic certificates, and contact details of two referees. Please refrain from sending a photo.
We look forward to receiving your application!