PhD student (m/f/d) immunogenetics

The Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH – Leibniz-Institut für Primatenforschung in Göttingen is a primate research and competence center that does basic research. It concentrates on three main areas named Organismic Primate Biology, Infections Research and Neurosciences. The DPZ maintains four field stations to do research on and with primates. Furthermore it is one of 95 research and infrastructure establishments of the Leibniz Association

We are seeking a highly motivated

PhD student (m/f/d) immunogenetics

for a research project in the Primate Genetics Laboratory. Funding of the PhD position is ensured for up to 4 years which is the maximum time frame for a PhD according to the local PhD program regulations.

The inhibitory natural killer (NK) cell receptor NKG2A/CD94 and its stimulatory counterpart NKG2C/CD94 are important regulators of NK cells. Both receptors interact with the conserved MHC class I ligand HLA-E. Recent work suggests that NKG2A/CD94 acts as an immune checkpoint for both NK and T cells that might be exploited in immune therapies of tumor patients or in transplantation patients that received engineered cardiac grafts. The current PhD project is part of a grant from the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) where we want to study the level of ligand expression at which inhibition of NK cells via NKG2A/CD94 or activation via NKG2C/CD94 is achieved. By using an elaborated expression system, the PhD student will determine this threshold of inhibition/activation. Rhesus monkeys are used as models of this cardiac graft transplantation. In contrast to human, rhesus monkeys show a much higher degree of genetic diversity of NKG2A as well as an expansion of NKG2C-encoding genes. Thus, the PhD student will also study the degree and effect of this diversity on interaction of NKG2A and NKG2C receptors with their ligand Mamu-E.

We are looking for a highly determined and enthusiastic PhD student with a MSc in biology, biochemistry or biotechnology. The student must have experience in flow cytometry and cell culture.

We offer an international team of highly motivated and supportive researchers. The PhD student will apply for membership of the Göttingen Graduate Center for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences (GGNB) program "Molecular Biology of Cells" (http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/sh/58095.html) at the Georg August University of Göttingen.

The appointment at the DPZ follows the applied regulations of civil service. The classification follows the TV-L. Disabled applicants with equal qualification will be given preferential consideration. We kindly ask you to indicate in your application if you are disabled.

Please send in your written application including all certificates until August 31th 2019 under key word “PhD Immunogenetics” to Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH – Leibniz Institut für Primatenforschung – Personnel Office – Kellnerweg 4 – 37077 Göttingen or via mail to bewerbung(at)dpz.eu.

For further information please see http://www.dpz.eu.

For more information about the Leibniz Association see www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de