PhD Position (m/f/d)

The Pediatric Hematology and Experimental Oncology (PHEO) research group, led by Dr. Alexander Wurm and Prof. Denis Schewe, is dedicated to advancing and improving therapies for children with cancer, particularly acute leukemias. Our research bridges experimental and clinical oncology with the goal of optimizing existing treatments and developing new therapeutic approaches with direct relevance for pediatric patients.

• Planning, designing, and performing (primary) cell–based, molecular biological, and biochemical experiments
• Conducting animal experiments using mouse models
• Establishing new project-related laboratory methods, including experimental design, implementation, and validation of results
• Contributing to the preparation of scientific publications
• Participating independently in research consortia and collaborative projects
• Supporting administrative tasks within the laboratory
• Documentation and analysis of experimental results
• Preparation and completion of a doctoral thesis (PhD) based on the research project

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field
• Strong background in molecular and cellular biology techniques
• Experience with cell culture, ideally including primary cells
• Practical experience with molecular biology and biochemical methods (e.g., PCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry, cloning, or similar techniques)
• Interest in cancer research, particularly hematology/oncology
• Willingness to work with animal models (mouse experiments); prior experience in animal handling is advantageous but not required
• Ability to plan, conduct, and analyze experiments independently while working within a collaborative research environment
• Strong organizational and documentation skills for accurate recording of experimental data
• Interest in scientific writing and publishing
• Ability to work independently as well as in an interdisciplinary team
• Good communication skills in English (spoken and written); knowledge of German is advantageous but not mandatory
• High level of motivation, reliability, and scientific curiosity

Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine

The position is available from July 1, 2026, on a part-time basis (26 hours/week) and is initially limited to a period of 3 years. Salary is based on the applicable collective agreement and may be classified up to pay grade E13, depending on personal qualifications.

• Compensation: Salary according to collective agreement (up to E13), including annual bonus and occupational pension scheme
• Vacation: 30 days per year
• Career development: Extensive internal and external training and development opportunities, e.g., via our Carus Academy
• Work-life balance: Family office providing support in all life situations, including childcare placements, holiday programs, and care for relatives
• Health & wellbeing: Wide range of sports and fitness programs in a state-of-the-art gym, as well as mental health support and occupational health management
• Employee benefits: Discounts at the hospital pharmacy, corporate benefits, and access to various shopping platforms