We are looking to support our rapidly growing team starting February 1 2026:

PhD Position (f/m/x) in Human Herpesvirus Antibody Responses

Institute of Virology - Laboratory for Infection and Immune Biology

Your tasks

• Conduct in-depth mechanistic analyses of humoral immune responses against Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and other human herpesviruses
• Isolate and characterize human monoclonal antibodies targeting key viral surface proteins.
• Engineer viral variants and antibody constructs to investigate viral entry neutralization pathways and immune escape strategies
• Explore and evaluate new therapeutic concepts derived from antibodyvirus interactions
• Communicate and coordinate experimental progress with national and international collaboration partners including structural biology and clinical teams

Your profile

• Masters degree in biology biomedicine immunology molecular medicine virology or a related life-science discipline
• Strong motivation and genuine interest in immunology virology and molecular mechanisms of virushost interactions
• First experience in cell culture and molecular biology methods is an advantage; experience with antibodies or viruses is welcome but not required
• Ability to plan perform and analyze experiments carefully reliably and with critical thinking
• Good organizational skills and the ability to work independently on experimental tasks
• Strong communication skills and enjoyment of working in an interdisciplinary collaborative team
• Willingness to learn new experimental approaches and actively contribute to scientifically meaningful projects

Our offer

• Everything but ordinary: You can expect a secure job in a challenging innovative environment including company pension schemes and regular working hours without business trips.
• Work-life balance: Whether full-time or part-time with or without children with numerous support options we will find the right path together.
• Team spirit in R(h)ine culture: You will be warmly welcomed by an interdisciplinary team that values mutual respect and helpfulness.
• Strong perspectives: We offer extensive training opportunities so you can continuously grow and set new goals.

Your future with us

We are one of the leading university hospitals in Germany and network research teaching and health care at the highest level. Thats why many things are a lot bigger for us: the spectrum of exciting development opportunities. The limitless openness with which specialists from all over the world work together here. Or our commitment as an employer to support all employees as best we can in reconciling their job with their goals and life situations.

This is the University Hospital of Cologne: Everything but ordinary.

Your future in detail

We are a highly dedicated translational and internationally wellconnectedresearch group investigating the mechanisms of the humanantibody response to infectious agents and their translation into clinicalpractice (e.g. Zehner et al. Immunity 2023; Kreer & Zehner et al. Cell
2020; Ehrhardt & Zehner et al. Nat. Med. 2019). Our work aims to definefundamental mechanisms of human antiviral immunity and to translatethese insights into next-generation therapeutic strategies.
A major research focus of our laboratory is the human antibodyresponse to Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV)a globally prevalentpathogen with high clinical relevance. We aim to dissect the molecularinterfaces between HCMV and the immune system determine how potentneutralizing antibodies recognize viral entry complexes and uncover thestrategies the virus employs to escape these responses. A centralcomponent of our program is the isolation and in-depth characterization ofhuman monoclonal antibodies with unique functional properties.
Our research environment offers access to state-of-the-arttechnologies including advanced infection models single-cell antibodydiscovery platforms and interdisciplinary collaborations with cliniciansstructural biologists and international partners. These resources enablemechanistic projects with direct translational potential including theidentification of therapeutic lead candidates.
You will be embedded in an ambitious supportive and excellence-drivenscientific environment that encourages independent thinking rigorousexperimentation and high-impact research. Your contribution will advanceour understanding of viral immune evasion and help shape new strategiesfor preventing and treating HCMV and other infectious diseases and mayinform future antibody-based interventions against HCMV and relatedpathogens.

Contact

Dr. Matthias Zehner
Tel: 49 4

Application deadline: 21.12.2025

Job-ID: fkytota3