PhD Position in Systems Immunology of Immune Ageing in Lung Fibrosis
Start Date
01.06.2026
Employment Relationship
100%, fixed-term
Institution / Workplace
Lung Precision Medicine, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern
Start of employment: 01.06.2026 or by agreement
Employment is fixed term. Bern
Start of employment: 01.06.2026 or by agreement
Employment is fixed term. Bern
With us, you create value.
For yourself and for society.
For yourself and for society.
Description
At the Gote-Schniering Lab of the University of Bern, we are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to investigate immune ageing mechanisms in fibrotic lung disease.With ageing, the lung progressively loses its regenerative capacity after injury, which can contribute to diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis. Increasing evidence suggests that immune ageing plays an important role in this process. This project will investigate how age-related changes in the immune system impair lung repair and promote fibrosis. Using single-cell and spatial omics, imaging, and human 3D tissue models, the aim is to uncover key mechanisms and identify new therapeutic opportunities.
Tasks
- generate and analyze single-cell and spatial transcriptomics / proteomics datasets,
- perform functional assays and mechanistic perturbation experiments,
- work with ex vivo 3D lung tissue culture models,
- contribute to experiments in in vivo mouse models,
- collaborate closely with researchers across immunology, lung biology, and computational biology.
Requirements
- a Master's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Systems Biology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field,
- strong programming and data analysis skills (e.g., Python, R),
- a strong interest in translational biomedical research, disease mechanisms, and multimodal data integration,
- motivation to work in an interdisciplinary research environment.
The following are considered an advantage:
- experience in medical image analysis / radiomics,
- experience with single-cell or spatial omics,
- knowledge of machine learning / deep learning.
We offer:
- a highly interdisciplinary PhD project at the interface of immunology, tissue regeneration, and systems medicine,
- access to cutting-edge technologies including single-cell omics, spatial profiling, and 3D tissue models,
- a collaborative and internationally connected research environment,
- strong opportunities for scientific development, publication, and career growth.
Your Benefits
- International reputation
- Strong research infrastructure and international network
- Collaborative environment and ambitious team
- Individual career support
Working at the University of Bern
The University of Bern not only offers exciting tasks but also an environment that actively promotes development, diversity, and equal opportunities. Discover what makes us stand out as an employer and how you can grow with us.
Application and Contact
Please send your complete application, including motivation letter, CV, academic record incl. grades, BSc and MSc diploma, and two reference letters as a single pdf file to: janine.gote-schniering@unibe.ch. The deadline for application is 10.05.2026.