PhD Position in Tumor Immunology and Neuro‑Oncology

About the role

The University Hospital Basel offers a PhD position to investigate the immunosuppressive myeloid microenvironment of glioblastoma and develop therapeutic strategies. The role combines cutting‑edge laboratory work with translational cancer research.

Key responsibilities

• Investigate mechanisms maintaining the immunosuppressive myeloid microenvironment of glioblastoma and identify reversal strategies.
• Develop and apply cellular and patient‑derived models, including primary immune and tumor cell cultures, co‑cultures, organoids and tumor explants.
• Build and perform functional screening approaches such as live‑cell imaging, phagocytosis and immune activation assays.
• Characterize treatment responses using multiparameter flow cytometry, spatial profiling and single‑cell sequencing, integrating experimental and clinical data.
• Advance promising therapeutic strategies toward translational validation, including antibody engineering, predictive biomarker development and in vivo testing.

Required profile

• Master's degree or equivalent in immunology, cancer biology, biomedical sciences, molecular medicine, pharmaceutical sciences or related field.
• Hands‑on laboratory experience, ideally in cell culture and cellular or molecular immunology.
• Strong interest in tumor immunology, myeloid biology and translational cancer research.
• Initiative, reliability and ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Excellent English language skills and willingness to work with mouse models.

Required skills

• Live‑cell imaging
• Flow cytometry (multiparameter)
• DNA and RNA sequencing
• Spatial proteomics
• Single‑cell genomics
• Microscopy
• Animal facility work
• Basic data analysis with R or Python (advantageous)

What we offer

• Attractive salary policy and comprehensive social benefits.
• Discounts for shopping, sport and leisure activities.
• Support for relocation and housing search.
• 25 vacation days plus 5 flexible days.
• Opportunities for further training, career planning and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art core facilities and a highly interdisciplinary research environment.