The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH (HZI) is part of the Helmholtz Association of GermanResearch Centres, the largest scientific organization in Germany. At HZI, researchers focus on developingstrategies to improve the fight against infectious diseases. Their aim is to create new methods for prevention,diagnosis, and treatment of infectious compounds by studying both bacterial and viral pathogens and theirinteractions with the immune system, while also investigating new compounds with potential therapeuticeffects.
The Early Life Immunity group at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany,is recruiting a highly motivated PhD student or postdoctoral researcher to join the project PERIO-IMPRINT -PERIOdontitis-driven IMPRINTing of mucosal immunity and oral-gut axis development in offspring.
The project investigates how maternal periodontitis shapes offspring immune development, with a particularfocus on the oral-gut axis, mucosal barrier tissues, microbiota-immune interactions, and long-termsusceptibility to inflammatory disease and vaccine responses. The project is embedded in a close internationalcollaboration with Prof. Avi-Hai Hovav at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and will involve coordinatedexperimental work, data exchange, and scientific visits between the German and Israeli partner laboratories.
Project background:
Maternal inflammatory conditions can have lasting effects on offspring immune development, but themechanisms linking maternal oral inflammation to postnatal mucosal immunity remain poorly understood.Using a mouse model of maternal ligature-induced periodontitis, this project will examine how maternalinflammation affects microbial colonization, epithelial barrier maturation, adaptive immune imprinting, anddisease susceptibility in offspring.
The project will combine:
In vivo mouse models of maternal periodontitis and offspring challenge models
High-dimensional spectral flow cytometry
Single-cell RNA-seq and VDJ sequencing
Microbiota and epithelial barrier analyses
Oral and intestinal mucosal immunology
Cross-site collaboration between HZI and Hebrew University
People with severe disabilities and equivalent professional qualifications who are suitable for the position aregiven preference. In order to protect your rights, we ask you to provide us with a clearly recognizablereference to the existence of a degree of severe disability in your cover letter or resume.
The contract of employment is with the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH (HZI) in Braunschweig.The place of work is Braunschweig
.
The HZI is actively committed to equality, diversity and integration. For this reason, the HZI pursues the goal ofprofessional equality between women and men. The position is suitable for part-time work.
Starting date: 1st September, 2026 - Initial contract for 3 years
Salary: alike E 13 TV EntGO Bund (65 %)
Place of work: Braunschweig
Working Time: 19,50 hours per week
Probation period: 6 months
Closing date: 15/06/2026
The Early Life Immunity group at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany,is recruiting a highly motivated PhD student or postdoctoral researcher to join the project PERIO-IMPRINT -PERIOdontitis-driven IMPRINTing of mucosal immunity and oral-gut axis development in offspring.
The project investigates how maternal periodontitis shapes offspring immune development, with a particularfocus on the oral-gut axis, mucosal barrier tissues, microbiota-immune interactions, and long-termsusceptibility to inflammatory disease and vaccine responses. The project is embedded in a close internationalcollaboration with Prof. Avi-Hai Hovav at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and will involve coordinatedexperimental work, data exchange, and scientific visits between the German and Israeli partner laboratories.
Project background:
Maternal inflammatory conditions can have lasting effects on offspring immune development, but themechanisms linking maternal oral inflammation to postnatal mucosal immunity remain poorly understood.Using a mouse model of maternal ligature-induced periodontitis, this project will examine how maternalinflammation affects microbial colonization, epithelial barrier maturation, adaptive immune imprinting, anddisease susceptibility in offspring.
The project will combine:
In vivo mouse models of maternal periodontitis and offspring challenge models
High-dimensional spectral flow cytometry
Single-cell RNA-seq and VDJ sequencing
Microbiota and epithelial barrier analyses
Oral and intestinal mucosal immunology
Cross-site collaboration between HZI and Hebrew University
PhD in Early-Life Mucosal Immunology
Activities and responsibilities
You will help establish and execute experimental workflows to study immune development in offspringexposed to maternal periodontitis. Depending on experience level, your work will include:
- Planning and performing
- in vivo mouse experiments
- Processing oral, intestinal, lymphoid, and liver tissues for immune analysis
- Designing and applying high-parameter flow cytometry panels
- Analyzing mucosal immune cell populations, especially T cells, B cells, myeloid cells, and epithelial-associated immune programs
- Generating and/or analyzing single-cell RNA-seq and VDJ-seq datasets
- Integrating immunological, microbiological, and transcriptomic data
- Working closely with the Israeli partner laboratory and contributing to a true tandem project
- Presenting results at lab meetings, international project meetings, and conferences
- Preparing manuscripts and contributing to future grant applications
Qualification profile
- Master’s Degree/Diploma in immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, infection biology, or a relatedfield
- Excellent English communication skills (written and spoken)
- Willingness to perform in vivo mouse work
- Experience with or strong interest in multicolor / spectral flow cytometry
- Interest in single-cell genomics and computational analysis
- Abilty to work in a team
- Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative international project
- Careful documentation, reliability, and enthusiasm for mechanistic immunology
We offer
- Modern laboratories, incl. BSL3
- State-of-the-art analytical instrumentation (spectral analyzer, sorting facility, single cell genomicspipelines)
- Ample biological profiling platforms (in vitro and in vivo)
- A lively scientific community and a corporate culture of appreciation & promotion of equal opportunities
- 30 days of vacation, (24.12. & 31.12. are considered as completely free days)
- An annual additional payment (Weihnachtsgeld) analogue to § 20 TVöD
- Social security included
- DO IT- Promotionsinitiative
- Welcome Office
- home office option
- Buddy System for new doctoral researchers
- Family Office, Child Holiday Care
- One of the strongest research region in Europe
- Central location within Germany, various metropolitan areas (i.e. Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Hannover)and recreational areas (i.e. Harz, Lüneburg Heath, North Sea) can be reached very quickly and easily byTrain - it is also close to the airport Hannover
People with severe disabilities and equivalent professional qualifications who are suitable for the position aregiven preference. In order to protect your rights, we ask you to provide us with a clearly recognizablereference to the existence of a degree of severe disability in your cover letter or resume.
The contract of employment is with the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH (HZI) in Braunschweig.The place of work is Braunschweig
.
The HZI is actively committed to equality, diversity and integration. For this reason, the HZI pursues the goal ofprofessional equality between women and men. The position is suitable for part-time work.
Starting date: 1st September, 2026 - Initial contract for 3 years
Salary: alike E 13 TV EntGO Bund (65 %)
Place of work: Braunschweig
Working Time: 19,50 hours per week
Probation period: 6 months
Closing date: 15/06/2026
For more details regarding the position, please contact Natalia Torow via email: natalia.torow(at)helmholtz-hzi.de.
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