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International PhD Programme (IPP) Mainz, Institute of Molecular Biology

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PhD Position: Molecular Immunology: Defining trained immunity in dendritic cells and their progenitors (m/f/d) International PhD Programme (IPP) Mainz in Germany

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Metabolism

Funding

Available

Deadline

Oct 15, 2026

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Country

Germany

University

International PhD Programme (IPP) Mainz, Institute of Molecular Biology

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Keywords

Metabolism
Immunology
Biology
Innate Immunity
Single-cell Analysis
Medical Science
Epigenetic
Monocyte Biology
Dendritic Cell
Immunophenotyping

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About this position

The International PhD Programme (IPP) Mainz is offering a fully funded PhD position in molecular immunology within the Institute of Molecular Biology in Mainz, Germany. The project is hosted by the research group of Johannes Mayer and focuses on one of the most exciting current questions in innate immunity: whether dendritic cells and their progenitors can exhibit trained immunity.

Trained immunity refers to a form of innate immune memory in which prior stimulation leads to epigenetic and metabolic changes that alter the future responsiveness of immune cells. While the phenomenon has been studied extensively in monocytes, this PhD project aims to extend the concept to dendritic cells, which are crucial for antigen presentation and priming naive T cells.

In this project, the successful candidate will establish protocols to isolate and differentiate dendritic cell progenitors in vitro and in vivo using human and murine samples. The work will also investigate central and peripheral trained immunity and apply molecular single-cell and omics approaches to define cellular, molecular, and functional changes in dendritic cells. These findings will be compared with monocytes and across dendritic cell lineages.

The position is especially suitable for applicants with a strong background in immunology and prior experience in complex immune-cell phenotyping at the single-cell level, as well as experience working with primary human or murine samples and cell isolation/characterization. The programme is international and interdisciplinary, with English as the working language, and provides advanced training, access to state-of-the-art core facilities, and a lively community of more than 200 PhD students from 44 countries.

Applicants should hold a Master’s degree or equivalent, have a good command of English, and provide two letters of reference. To apply, candidates should select Mayer (DC Training) as their group preference in the IPP application platform and submit their application through the online form at the official application website. The deadline is 15 October 2026, with interviews scheduled for 18–19 January 2027 in Mainz. The expected starting window is 1 February to 31 July 2027.

Funding details

Available

What's required

Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant field; strong background in immunology; previous experience with complex phenotyping of immune cells at the single-cell level; previous experience with primary human or murine samples and cell isolation/characterization; good command of English; two letters of reference.

How to apply

Select Mayer (DC Training) as your group preference in the IPP application platform. Submit the online application via https://www.imb.de/phd/apply and include the required documents, including two letters of reference.

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