Cheng-Jian Xu

The Clinical Bioinformatics group, led by Prof. Dr. Cheng-Jian Xu at the Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM) and Hannover Medical School (MHH), invites applications for a fully funded PhD position focused on immune aging and disease susceptibility. This interdisciplinary project aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying immune aging and disease risk by integrating large-scale multi-omics, clinical, and population-based data. The research will contribute to ongoing studies on epigenetic regulation of immune function, biological aging, infection susceptibility, and health outcomes. As a PhD candidate, you will analyze and integrate genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and clinical datasets using advanced computational, statistical, and artificial intelligence approaches. Your work will involve biomarker discovery, development of predictive models for immune aging, multimorbidity, vaccine responses, and disease risk. The project offers close collaboration with clinicians, epidemiologists, and experimental scientists in a dynamic, international research environment. Responsibilities include analyzing large-scale multi-omics datasets, developing computational and machine learning methods for biomarker discovery and risk prediction, investigating molecular mechanisms linking immune aging and disease susceptibility, and contributing to predictive models for health outcomes. You will present your findings at conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals. Applicants should have a Master's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Genomics, Systems Biology, or a related field. Strong programming skills in R and/or Python are required, and experience with high-throughput omics data is desirable. Knowledge of statistics, machine learning, and computational biology is expected, along with the ability to work independently and collaboratively. Excellent English communication skills are essential. The position is part-time (25 hours/week) for three years, starting 1 September 2026, and is fully funded, including tuition and stipend. The research environment is inclusive and supportive, with access to unique multi-omics datasets and state-of-the-art computational infrastructure. Opportunities for scientific training, career development, and international networking are provided. The project is embedded within ongoing research on immune aging, epigenomics, and precision medicine, aiming to translate data-driven discoveries into improved strategies for disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Applications from women and individuals with disabilities are especially encouraged. Hannover Medical School is a certified family-friendly institution and actively promotes equal opportunities. Apply via the Nature Careers link. For further information, contact the Clinical Bioinformatics group at CiiM and MHH.