PhD in ImmunoFLASH: CAR T-cell Immunotherapy and FLASH Radiotherapy Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf in Germany

PhD opportunity in ImmunoFLASH at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Germany.

This PhD project focuses on ultra-high-dose-rate radiotherapy (FLASH RT) combined with CAR T-cell immunotherapy to improve anti-tumor effects while reducing normal-tissue side effects. The work is an interdisciplinary collaboration across three HZDR institutes: the Institute of Radiooncology – OncoRay, the Institute of Radiation Physics, and the Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research.

The successful candidate will help evaluate the efficacy of combined proton FLASH radiotherapy and CAR T-cell immunotherapy in in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo settings, and will characterize the molecular pathways and biomarkers underlying these effects. The role includes formulating scientific objectives and hypotheses, preparing animal study protocols, reviewing literature, planning experiments, managing data according to good scientific practice, interpreting results, collaborating across multidisciplinary teams, presenting at seminars and conferences, and contributing to reports and publications.

Research keywords: radiobiology, radiotherapy, FLASH RT, proton therapy, CAR T-cell immunotherapy, cancer biology, immunology, tumor biology, molecular biology, cell biology, biomarkers, biomedicine.

Eligibility highlights: completed Master/Diploma in Cancer Biology, Immunology, Biomedicine, or a related field; strong expertise in tumor biology and molecular/cell biology techniques; experience with laboratory animals is desirable; patient-derived models are a plus; strong motivation and English fluency are required.

Funding and conditions: this is a salaried PhD position with public-sector pay and social benefits under TVöD-Bund, plus 30 days of paid leave, pension coverage, flexible working, mobile working, and part-time options.

Application: submit a cover letter, CV, diplomas/transcripts, and other documents through the online application system. The post does not specify a deadline in the provided text.