PhD Position Metabolome in Cancer Immunotherapy

To be filled as soon as possible.

The Lab of Translational Microbiome Research (Head: C. Stein-Thoeringer), part of the Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections” (CMFI), at the University of Tübingen studies the cross-talk between gut microbes, pathogens, the immune milieu and environmental factors in cancer development, therapy and infections. The lab’s science mission is to understand how individual bacteria, microbial consortia, metabolites as their effectors and perturbations along the microbe-host axis interplay with tumor development and immunotherapy, notably adoptive T cell therapies, in preclinical models and in translational studies also in patients.

We are using cutting-edge wet-lab techniques combined with bioinformatic tools to sequence and to analyse the microbiome from different sites of the gastrointestinal tract applying culture-omics and high-resolution metagenome sequencing techniques. This approach is combined with multi-omics characterisation of the host’s immune system or the metabolome, and we utilize gnotobiotic model systems to infer causality in microbe-host interactions. In translational approaches, we are performing clinical studies to study patient microbiomes, associations with disease and environmental factors and carry out microbiome-based interventions for the benefit of patients.

Specific research project

In the Lab of Translational Microbiome Research, we are studying the interactions between the mammalian host, the immune system, and the microbiome both in clinical and preclinical studies.

We are offering a PhD project position (E13 TV-L, 65%) as part of a translational cancer research funded by the Robert-Bosch-Foundation. This project aims to elucidate the interactions of gut microbes and metabolites as secreted products with immune cells of the host. This research will cover experimental studies on infused T cells (e.g., CAR-Ts) or on immune checkpoint inhibitors as major effectors in T cell – driven cancer immunotherapies. All research will be carried out in the new M3 (Mikrobiom-Metabolom-Malignom) – Institute at the University of Tübingen and will comprise:

• Microbiome rofiling: next-level sequencing techniques to analyze the composition, diversity, and function of the gut microbiome.
• Metabolome characterization in collaboration with local core facilities.
• Immune cell characterization by advanced immune cell flow cytometry, transcriptomics and proteomics.
• In vitro and In vivo models; from cell and microbe cultures to laboratory animal work.
• State-of-art bioinformatic methods for high-resolution microbe, genome and transcriptome analyses.

For further information also check our homepage:

https://www.medizin.uni-tuebingen.de/de/das-klinikum/einrichtungen/zentren/m3/translationale-microbiome#

Candidate profile

We are looking for highly motivated PhD student interested in the fundamental mechanism of the gut microbiome, infection, cancer and translation of laboratory finding into perspective clinical applications. Master degree in microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology or biotechnology is preferential. Previous experimental experience in animal model research, basic molecular biology, microbiology and cell culture techniques are of advantage. Ideally, the candidate will bring fundamental statistical and computational skills and an interest to broaden the use of computational methods for microbiome data analysis. Team-working abilities are essential. Critical independent thinking is encouraged. The successful candidate will develop excellent experimental, communication and presentation skills, and will be familiarized with a high performing scientific environment that gives an advantage for career development in both academia and industry.

Applications or questions about the position should be sent to Christoph Stein-Thoeringer (christoph.stein-thoeringer@med.uni-tuebingen.de).

Please send your application as a single PDF file that includes: a cover/motivation letter; your CV/biosketch; contact information for two references; and university transcripts.

The University of Tübingen is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong institutional commitment to excellence through diversity. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to gender, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age.

The review of applications will begin in August 2023 and will continue until the position is filled.