The University Hospital Erlangen is seeking a motivated PhD candidate for a Bioinformatics Scientist position within the Department of Medicine 3, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Mario Zaiss. This opportunity is part of the CRC/SFB 1755 CASCAID project, an interdisciplinary Collaborative Research Centre funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), dedicated to advancing research in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel diseases. The research aims to develop novel strategies for sustained drug-free remission by identifying and characterizing dysregulated immune-cell networks and tissue programs.

The project focuses on the gut–joint–brain axis in arthritis, investigating bidirectional signaling pathways that drive chronic inflammation, joint destruction, and neuroinflammatory sequelae. A major emphasis is placed on advanced bioinformatic analyses of multimodal omics data, including transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, derived from patient biopsies and murine models. The goal is to identify conserved mechanisms linking gut barrier dysfunction to central immune activation and to establish mechanistic connections between intestinal permeability, synovial pathology, and neuroinflammation.

As a central bioinformatics core, the position supports multiple laboratory projects, enabling cross-cohort harmonization and predictive modeling of therapeutic targets. Doctoral researchers will be integrated into the LIFE@FAU graduate school, which offers comprehensive training in both soft and hard skills, as well as a unique infrastructure for team building and exchange opportunities. Additional support includes a thesis mentoring committee and career development resources.

Applicants should have an M.Sc. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Life Sciences, or a related field, with a strong background in bioinformatics, experience in R and Python, and basic knowledge of immunology. Experience with omics data analysis, including single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, is highly desirable. The position is fully funded according to TV-L/DFG standards and offers excellent access to state-of-the-art technologies, opportunities for international conference participation, and a strong network of collaborators. The application deadline is February 20, 2026.