Mascha Binder

The Department of Biomedicine at the University of Basel, in collaboration with the University Hospitals Basel, is offering a fully funded PhD position in Immunology within the research group of Dr. Sarah Adamo and Prof. Mascha Binder. The department is the largest at the University, hosting over 70 research groups and 800 employees, and is dedicated to advancing our understanding of health and disease through innovative research and clinical translation. This PhD project focuses on the mechanisms of immunological memory, specifically the study of human B and T cell memory in the contexts of infection, vaccination, and cancer. Dr. Adamo's research investigates how immunological memory is established and maintained, while the Binder group specializes in translational immuno-oncology, aiming to improve immunotherapy and develop novel antibody-based and cellular treatments for hematological and solid cancers. The successful candidate will employ cutting-edge experimental techniques, including CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, single-cell RNA and ATAC sequencing, advanced high-parameter flow cytometry, and work with both murine models and human organoid technology. The research will involve establishing models of B and T cell priming in human lymphoid organoids, characterizing organoids and primary samples, analyzing high-dimensional data, engineering T cell receptors, and testing priming conditions in organoids and mouse models of infection. The candidate will also contribute to scientific reports and journal articles. Applicants should have a strong interest in quantitative disciplines, a willingness to work with animal (mouse) models, and excellent teamwork and communication skills in English. A Master's degree in Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Medicine, or a related field is required. Experience in laboratory experimentation is essential, and additional experience with mice, laboratory animal science training (LTK, FELASA or equivalent), flow cytometry, or single-cell RNA sequencing is advantageous. The department offers access to state-of-the-art research equipment, a dynamic and interdisciplinary team, and opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaborations and training. The position includes the possibility of a research stay at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and participation in a research consortium on emerging viruses at the UKE in Hamburg. The environment encourages academic freedom, scientific independence, and values diversity and inclusion. To apply, submit your application via the University of Basel Recruiting-Portal, including a cover letter, CV, and at least two references. For informal inquiries, contact Dr. Sarah Adamo at [email protected]. The application deadline is February 14, 2026.

The University of Basel’s Translational Immuno-Oncology research group, co-led by Prof. Dr. Mascha Binder and Dr. Sarah Adamo , is offering a PhD position in Translational Tumor Immunology . The project sits at the interface of basic immunology, translational oncology, and patient-centered cancer research, with a strong emphasis on how anti-tumor immune responses emerge, evolve, and support durable disease control. The successful candidate will investigate whether cancer therapies can induce endogenous T cell responses against tumor antigens beyond the original therapeutic target, and whether these responses contribute to long-term tumor control through epitope spreading . The initial proof-of-principle setting will focus on patients with B cell lymphoma receiving targeted therapies, including CAR-T cells and bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs) . The broader goal is to build a framework that can later be applied across cancer types and treatment modalities. The work combines tumor- and blood-based genomic profiling , HLA typing , neoantigen prediction , functional screening of candidate epitopes, longitudinal profiling of antigen-specific T cells, single-cell RNA and TCR sequencing , peptide–MHC tetramers, and high-parameter spectral flow cytometry. The PhD student will also work with immune-repertoire analysis, transcriptomics, and integrated clinical datasets to understand which immunological features are associated with durable benefit. This is a highly interdisciplinary project with access to clinical samples, close collaboration with clinical and scientific partners, and a research environment that supports independence and project ownership. The candidate will contribute to experimental and computational analyses, data visualization, scientific reporting, conference presentations, and manuscript preparation. Eligibility highlights: a Master’s degree or equivalent in Biological Sciences, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, or a related field; experience with laboratory experimentation; strong interest in T cell immunology and cancer immunotherapy; excellent English communication and writing skills; and the ability to work both independently and in a team. Experience with flow cytometry, human samples, molecular biology, cancer genomics, single-cell methods, immune-repertoire analysis, or programming in R/Python is advantageous. Application deadline: 15 November 2026, 12:00 (Europe/Zurich). The position is based in Basel, Switzerland, within the Department of Biomedicine at the University of Basel.