PhD Position (m/f/d)

The University Hospital Bonn (UKB) is one of Germany’s leading university hospitals, combining top-level performance in medicine and research with excellence in teaching. Each year, more than half a million patients receive inpatient and outpatient care at the UKB. Around 3,500 students study medicine and dentistry here, and over 600 people are trained annually in healthcare professions. With approximately 9,900 employees, the UKB is the third-largest employer in the Bonn/Rhein-Sieg region. In the Focus hospital ranking, the UKB ranks first among university hospitals in North Rhine-Westphalia and second nationwide in terms of case mix index (case severity). In 2024, the UKB raised nearly €100 million in third-party funding for research, development, and teaching. The F.A.Z. Institute has named the UKB “Germany’s Training Champion” and “Germany’s Most Attractive Employer” for the fourth consecutive year.

The following part-time (**65% = 25.025 hours/week**) position is to be filled as of October 1, 2026, in the **Department of Epileptology** of the University Hospital Bonn:

**PhD Position (m/f/d)**

The position is limited to 3 years.

The PhD position is focusing on pathomechanisms in autoantibody-associated neurological syndromes and autoimmune encephalitis and and supported by a grant from the *Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft* (DFG). I will focus on the question whether (1) intracellular autoantibodies contribute causally to encephalitis, rather than acting as mere passive biomarkers and how (2) patient-derived Abs from autoantibody-positive encephalitis patients with different neurological presentations affect neuronal function using cultured neurons to assess cellular uptake, enzyme activity, neurotransmitter release and changes in neuronal plasticity.

This research is based on a wide array of methods including *in vitro* (e. g. Pitsch et al., 2020, PMID: 32196746) and mouse models (viral vector gene transfer/transgenic, EEG/video recordings) approaches, cell biological, molecular, biochemical, histological as well as imaging techniques (e. g. Pitsch et al., 2021, PMID: 33368582). A better understanding of the molecular and functional consequences of intracellular autoantibodies will have direct implications for better therapies aimed at interfering with autoimmune encephalitis by using pathway-specific pharmaceuticals or gene therapy.

Interested candidates should send curriculum vitae, letter of motivation indicating starting date, short description of past lab experience, copies of university degree(s) with academic records, contact information and at least two reference letters (or the referee’s contact info).

Questions concerning the projects can be addressed to PD Dr. J. Pitsch ([email protected])

**Tasks:**

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- The ideal candidate will be an ambitious, highly motivated, team-oriented graduate student with a strong interest in immunology and neurobiology

**Requirements:**

- Prior research experience with animal experimentation, microscopy, or electrophysiology techniques is advantageous but not required.

- Candidates should hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Neuroscience, Biological Science, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, or a related field.

- Candidates should also demonstrate aptitude in written and spoken English.

\*\*We offer:\*\*

- \*\*Responsible and diverse:\*\* A position with plenty of room for creativity and responsibility within a supportive and collegial team

- \*\*Fair compensation:\*\* Pay according to the TV-L E13 (65%) collective agreement, including annual bonus and company pension scheme

- \*\*Family-friendly flexibility:\*\* Flexible working time models, access to a place in our company daycare center, and programs supporting employees returning from parental leave

- \*\*Smart commuting:\*\* Excellent connection to the SWB public transport network

- \*\*Supported development:\*\* Individual training opportunities through courses, e-learning programs, and coaching sessions

- \*\*Structured onboarding:\*\* A systematic introduction to your new role and team

- \*\*Healthy at work:\*\* A wide range of health and wellness programs, plus free membership at the UKB fitness studio

- \*\*Employee benefits:\*\* Access to discounted offers for employees (corporate benefits)

We are committed to diversity and equal opportunities. Our goal is to increase the proportion of women in areas where women are underrepresented and to particularly promote their careers. We therefore urge relevantly qualified women to apply. Applications are treated in accordance with the State Equal Opportunities Act. Applications from suitable people with proven severe disabilities and those of equal status are particularly welcome.

**How to apply:**

Do you meet our requirements and are you looking for a varied and challenging job? Do not hesitate and send your detailed application (preferably by e-mail in one file up to 5 MB in size) by October 6, 2026, stating the job advertisement number ST-53001, to:

**PD Dr. Julika Pitsch**

**Department of Epileptology**

**Universitätsklinikum Bonn**

**Venusberg-Campus-1**

**53127 Bonn**

**E-Mail: [email protected]**

**Telefon: +49-228-287-11929**

**www.ukbonn.de**

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