Research Associate (PhD student) (m/f/d)

The University Hospital Essen offers first class medical services in the Ruhr metropolis. Every year, 225.000 patients are treated in 30 clinics, 2 7 institutes and specialized centers. The over 8.000 employees offer medical care with state -of-the art diagnostics and therapies, which meet highest international standards. Patient care is connected with basic and translational research at an internationally competitive level.

Research Associate (PhD student) (m/f/d)

(pay grade: EG 13 TV-L)
Work Area: Clinic for Nuclear Medicine
Job ID: 13719
Start Date: 01.10.2026
Work Scope: Part-time / 25,025 h
Contract Type: Temporary
Contract duration: 36 month; in accordance with §2 Abs. 1 WissZeitVG for qualification goal promotion

Your tasks:

We are searching for an enthusiastic and highly qualified PhD student for a project within our interdisciplinary DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre CRC/SFB 1752 “DYNAMO – Immediate Tumor Dynamics in Melanoma Therapy”, investigating the earliest mechanisms of therapy resistance in melanoma during the first days and weeks after therapy initiation (“DYNAMO Window”); further information: https://www.uni-due.de/crc1752

• Project “Dissecting metabolic heterogeneity and crosstalk of melanoma and immune cells under therapy”
• Investigating PET-imaging as prognostic, predictive and phenotypic biomarker of therapy-response in melanoma mouse models
• Correlation of PET-imaging data with tumor metabolism and biology
• Methods will include, but are not limited to, in vitro and in vivo studies (PET/SPECT/CT imaging, therapy), molecular biological and protein biochemical methods, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, omics analyses (e.g., RNAseq, metabolomics), and bioinformatic data analysis.
• Interaction and collaboration with other goups in the CRC/SFB
• Presentation of scientific results at meetings and conferences

Your profile:

• Diploma/Master degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine, Pharmacy or similar
• Experience in tumor biology and, ideally, in nuclear medicine
• Ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams,
• Independent, structured and solution-oriented way of working, high motivation, enthusiasm, flexibility, stress resistance, commitment and reliability
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken
• Knowledge of MS Office (Power Point, Excel, Word)

Look forward to:

Cutting-edge research & technology innovative project:

• Participation in a newly established DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre featuring a strong interdisciplinary translational focus
• Access to state-of-the-art technologies including PET, SPECT and CT scanners, radio-chemistry and -biology labs, spatial omics, advanced microscopy imaging and AI-supported data integration

Networking & collaboration scientific community:

• Integration into an interdisciplinary, internationally visible cancer research network
• Diverse teams: daily interaction with professional colleagues across experimental, computational, and clinical research
• Exchange opportunities: excellent avenues for close scientific collaboration and external career development

Mentoring & career development:

• Structured guidance: continuous, high-quality mentoring tailored to your academic progression
• Enrollment into the Graduate School for Biomedical Science ‘BIOME’ (https://www.uni-due.de/biome)
• Skill building: active participation in CRC events, lab rotations, hands-on workshops, and specialized training activities

Work environment & infrastructure:

• Top-tier facilities: excellent institutional infrastructure located directly at the University Hospital Essen campus
• Work-life balance: a family-friendly working environment
• A secure job in the public service of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia
• Fair pay in accordance with the collective wage agreement including annual bonus and additional company pension
• 30 days' vacation per calendar year (with a 5-day week)
• Interdisciplinary work with colleagues from other departments
• Work with modern equipment and certified quality standards
• Family-friendly corporate culture, e.g. company daycare center, vacation program for school-age children, advice and support from the employee service office in all life situations
• Wide range of training and further education opportunities, e.g. at the UK Essen training academy
• Active health management, e.g. company integration management, vaccinations, promotion of sports activities
• Attractive additional benefits, e.g. job ticket for public transport, discounted canteen meals, community events, places in halls of residence

General conditions:

• The pay grade classification depends on the personal and collective legal prerequisites.
• The University Hospital Essen is an equal opportunity employer. Female scientists are particularly encouraged to apply.
• The participation in secondary employment depends on the „Hochschulnebentätigkeitsverordnung“ of North-Rhine Westphalia.
• Disabled applicants will be preferentially considered in case of equivalent qualification.

Contact person and further information about the position:

You will find detailed information on the job advertisement and contact person s behind the button - Apply now:
https://bewerbung-karriere.ume.de/Vacancies/13719/Application/CheckLogin/1

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