A student (f/m/d) for a Master Thesis

The developing immune system is highly sensitive to chemical perturbations during early life stages. However, developmental immunotoxicity (DIT) testing is currently poorly represented in regulatory toxicology, partly due to the lack of suitable human-relevant in vitro methods. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provide a promising platform to model key developmental processes of the human immune system in vitro.

Within our group, an hiPSC-based differentiation assay (iHSC-Tox Assay) covering early hematopoietic development has already been established. The aim of this master thesis is to further expand this platform by establishing an additional functional endpoint focusing on the migration behavior of induced hematopoietic stem cells (iHSCs) with and without exposure to DIT-substances. Cell migration is a crucial process during hematopoietic development and may represent a sensitive endpoint for the detection of developmental immunotoxicants.

The project will include the establishment and optimization of a migration assay for hiPSC-derived iHSCs as well as the functional characterization of the assay using imaging- and/or flow cytometry-based methods. In addition, a first screening of selected compounds for potential effects on iHSC migration and developmental immunotoxicity will be performed.

The project therefore combines practical laboratory work with data analysis and method development in the field of human-relevant in vitro toxicology.

Our working group is looking for a motivated employee with a high level of commitment, fun at work, motivation, communication skills and team spirit. The applicant should have a completed bachelor's degree in life sciences, ideally in the field of immunology. Hands on experience with stem cells and the safe handling of standard immunological methods such as FACS and immunocytochemistry is desirable. Furthermore, good knowledge of English is mandatory.

We are an interdisciplinary, international team with a pleasant working atmosphere. We offer thorough training in a highly topical, challenging area of research. The project takes place in a team with other scientists, in part from industry, with whom there will be an intensive exchange of content on project-relevant results.

Please address your application (letter of motivation, CV, references, qualification certificates in ONE PDF) with the reference “Master thesis Koch” in the subject line, by email: