The PhD student position will be part of the new DFG-funded Research Training Group (RTG) 3095 “Protective and pathogenic antibody responses at barrier organs” ( https://www.grk3095.uni-luebeck.de/rtg3095 ). The RTG 3095 is a collaborative doctoral programme jointly organized by the University of Lübeck and Kiel University - two modern and research-intensive universities with strong profiles in medicine, molecular biology, and life sciences. Their study programmes have consistently achieved top rankings in the CHE Ranking, the most comprehensive evaluation of study programmes at German universities.
Immunological barrier organs such as the skin, intestine, and lungs are continuously exposed to commensal microorganisms, pathogens, and environmental allergens. As a result, infections as well as allergic and autoinflammatory disorders at these mucosal interfaces are frequent and represent a significant burden to public health. Antibody-mediated immune responses play a central role in maintaining homeostasis at these sites: they contribute to the control of pathogen invasion, the regulation of gut microbiota, and the initiation and modulation of allergic reactions, while also exerting regulatory functions that can downregulate inflammation.
The overarching goal of RTG 3095 is to elucidate the mechanisms by which B cell responses are initiated, maintained, and contribute to either immunoprotection or immunopathogenesis at these immunological barrier sites. To achieve this, the programme employs state-of-the-art experimental approaches, including single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and advanced molecular and immunological techniques. Doctoral researchers will benefit from a structured 4-year training programme that integrates cutting-edge research with comprehensive training opportunities.
Project P02 of the RTG “Development and function of differently glycosylated IgE antibodies” , supervised by the Laboratory of Immunology at the Institute of Nutritional Medicine at the University of Lübeck and the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein ( https://www.uksh.de/Ernaehrungsmedizin_Luebeck/ ), will investigate different stages of allergy and allergen-specific immunotherapy.
It has been observed that, in addition to allergic individuals, a certain proportion of healthy individuals express allergen-specific IgE antibodies. Some of these sensitised healthy individuals may develop allergy or worse, asthma, over time, but most are unlikely to ever develop allergic disease. In addition, allergen-specific immunotherapy to induce protective IgG antibodies works in some, but not all, patients. The increasingly accepted hypothesis is that different (inflammatory) T and B cell responses leading to different antibody compositions (including qualitatively different IgE antibodies with different IgE glycosylation forms) are responsible for these different phenomena and that the transition between these different immune states is dynamic in both directions (worse or better).
Publications of this research group can be found at ORCID (0000-0002-5383-8603) and Scopus (7102012162). Some selected studies: (Oefner et al, JACI 2012, doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.02.037; Karsten et al, Nature Medicine 2012, doi: 10.1038/nm.2862; Strait et al, Nature 2015, doi: 10.1038/nature13868.; Bartsch et al, JACI 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.04.059; Petry et al, JACI 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.05.056; Buhre et al, FI 2023, doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1020844; Dühring et al, Allergy 2023, doi: 10.1111/all.15665; Buhre et al, Allergy 2025, doi: 10.1111/all.16241; Lehrian et al, Exp Hematol Oncol 2025; doi: 10.1186/s40164-025-00708-6).
Immunological barrier organs such as the skin, intestine, and lungs are continuously exposed to commensal microorganisms, pathogens, and environmental allergens. As a result, infections as well as allergic and autoinflammatory disorders at these mucosal interfaces are frequent and represent a significant burden to public health. Antibody-mediated immune responses play a central role in maintaining homeostasis at these sites: they contribute to the control of pathogen invasion, the regulation of gut microbiota, and the initiation and modulation of allergic reactions, while also exerting regulatory functions that can downregulate inflammation.
The overarching goal of RTG 3095 is to elucidate the mechanisms by which B cell responses are initiated, maintained, and contribute to either immunoprotection or immunopathogenesis at these immunological barrier sites. To achieve this, the programme employs state-of-the-art experimental approaches, including single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and advanced molecular and immunological techniques. Doctoral researchers will benefit from a structured 4-year training programme that integrates cutting-edge research with comprehensive training opportunities.
Project P02 of the RTG “Development and function of differently glycosylated IgE antibodies” , supervised by the Laboratory of Immunology at the Institute of Nutritional Medicine at the University of Lübeck and the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein ( https://www.uksh.de/Ernaehrungsmedizin_Luebeck/ ), will investigate different stages of allergy and allergen-specific immunotherapy.
It has been observed that, in addition to allergic individuals, a certain proportion of healthy individuals express allergen-specific IgE antibodies. Some of these sensitised healthy individuals may develop allergy or worse, asthma, over time, but most are unlikely to ever develop allergic disease. In addition, allergen-specific immunotherapy to induce protective IgG antibodies works in some, but not all, patients. The increasingly accepted hypothesis is that different (inflammatory) T and B cell responses leading to different antibody compositions (including qualitatively different IgE antibodies with different IgE glycosylation forms) are responsible for these different phenomena and that the transition between these different immune states is dynamic in both directions (worse or better).
Publications of this research group can be found at ORCID (0000-0002-5383-8603) and Scopus (7102012162). Some selected studies: (Oefner et al, JACI 2012, doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.02.037; Karsten et al, Nature Medicine 2012, doi: 10.1038/nm.2862; Strait et al, Nature 2015, doi: 10.1038/nature13868.; Bartsch et al, JACI 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.04.059; Petry et al, JACI 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.05.056; Buhre et al, FI 2023, doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1020844; Dühring et al, Allergy 2023, doi: 10.1111/all.15665; Buhre et al, Allergy 2025, doi: 10.1111/all.16241; Lehrian et al, Exp Hematol Oncol 2025; doi: 10.1186/s40164-025-00708-6).
PhD student in Immunology / allergy at the University of Lübeck, Germany (m/f/d)
Activities and responsibilities
- Participation in the structured qualification programme of RTG 3095, including workshops, courses, and summer schools in state-of-the-art immunology related research.
- A highly stimulating research environment with access to state-of-the-art technologies such as single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics
- Excellent opportunities for scientific networking and qualification in cutting-edge immunological research
- Comparison of different stages of allergy and therapy using antibody composition analysis, including antibody ELISA and glycosylation analysis, and T and B single cell analysis.
Qualification profile
- A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in the life sciences or a related discipline, fulfilling the formal requirements for enrolment as a doctoral candidate at the University of Lübeck
- Excellent command of English
- Experience with mouse models, flow cytometry, and molecular and cellular biology techniques, as well as knowledge of German, are advantageous
- Motivation to apply bioinformatics approaches for the analysis of high-throughput datasets (e.g., scRNA-seq); experience with R or comparable statistical software is desirable
- To be a highly motivated PhD student.
We offer
- The salary will be based on the German E13 TV-L (65%) scale, if terms and conditions under collective bargaining law are fulfilled
- Participation in the structured qualification programme of RTG 3095, including workshops, courses, and summer schools in state-of-the-art immunology related research.
- A highly stimulating research environment with access to state-of-the-art technologies such as single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics
- Excellent opportunities for scientific networking and qualification in cutting-edge immunological research
- We are a highly motivated team with a good atmosphere.
Application:
- A motivation letter (maximum one page)
- A curriculum vitae (including a list of publications, if applicable)
- Certificates and transcripts of your previous university degrees (BSc/MSc, including transcripts of records)
- at least one letter of recommendation
- Names and email addresses of two potential references
- Please send your application to Prof. Marc Ehlers via email.
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