The LIT - Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (https://lit.eu) in Regensburg, is a biomedical research center focusing on research and development of innovative immune cell therapeutics in the fields of cancer, autoimmunity and transplant rejection.
The DRFZ - Deutsche Rheuma Forschungszentrum Berlin is a biomedical research center of the Leibniz Association that conducts basic and applied research in rheumatic diseases to develop innovative and personalized therapies.
Both institutions are engaged in a strategic collaboration to improve the quality of life of patients with rheumatic diseases, close gaps in care and open up new avenues in cellular rheumatism therapy – by transferring research into practice.
The Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy and the German Rheumatology Research Center are jointly recruiting a
Group Leader (m/f/d) – MF-2025-03
LIT/ DRFZ Joint Group "Experimental Cell Therapy”
The Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT) and the Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin (DRFZ) are initiating an Independent Joint Experimental Cell Therapy Research Group . This joint venture merges the engineered immune cell therapy expertise of the LIT and the expertise in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases of the DRFZ.
The aim of this group is to explore and develop the emerging disruptive potential of genetically engineered immune cells, including for example CAR T cells and Treg cells, for the treatment of rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematodes and further inflammatory indications.
The group is rolled out for an initial period of 5 years with a potential for prolongation. It will be supported by scientific and technical staff, consumables and access to all facilities and technical infrastructures at the hosting institutes. Being primarily located at the DRFZ in Berlin with additional activities at the LIT (Regensburg), it will be embedded into a highly innovative and supportive scientific and clinical environment at both sites with their expertise in immune tolerance research, genetic engineering and GMP grade cell production (LIT) and cutting-edge technologies in molecular and cellular immunology, in vivo disease models and clinical cohorts (DRFZ/Charite).
Mentoring will be provided by Prof. Dr. Markus Feuerer (LIT) and Prof. Gerhard Krönke (Charité and DRFZ) to ensure scientific and translational success and career development.

Your Profile

• PhD and/or MD degree with international academic experience and outstanding track record of productivity.
• A strong record of creative, innovative research in autoimmunity and inflammation
• Experience with experimental cellular therapies and / or experimental mouse models of inflammation and autoimmunity are helpful .
• Candidates should be interested in working in an interdisciplinary team and coordinate the Experimental Cell Therapy Group a collaboration between the LIT and the DRFZ
• Strong organization and management skills and a record of successful applications for third-party funding.

We offer:

• An international cutting-edge research environment that offers exciting and diverse opportunities
• Perspectives for further scientific qualification
• Possibility to visit collaborating centers
• Flexible working hours
• Flat hierarchies and short decision-making processes
• A highly motivated and cooperative team
• Excellent funding situation and state-of-the-art equipment

The remuneration is based on TV-L.
The Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy targets to increase the share of women in the workforce. Therefore, qualified female candidates are explicitly encouraged to submit their applications. Moreover, the LIT advocates for the compatibility of family and career.
Disabled applicants (m/f/d) with equal qualifications will receive preferential treatment within the recruitment procedure. Please refer to your disability status already in your application.
Please note that expenses that may arise in the context of an eventual job interview cannot be reimbursed.
For more information, please contact Prof. Dr. Markus Feuerer (markus.feuerer@ukr.de) or Prof. Gerhard Krönke (gerhard.kroenke@charite.de).
We are looking forward to receiving your detailed application. Please apply via our Online - Application Portal quoting the reference MF-2025-03 .
Application deadline is September 30th, 2025 .