Our Department of Nephrology and Else Kroener-Fresenius Center provides excellent facilities to conduct interdisciplinary research in the field of Nephrology and Cardiovascular biology. We offer an attractive surrounding for modern science in molecular medicine, systems biology and data science.
It is embedded in the excellence cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), the Deutsche Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung (DZHK) and the CRC TRR 219 and provides access to state-of-the-art omics platforms, high-performance computing infrastructure and comprehensive training opportunities.

If you have finished your PhD and if you are highly motivated to contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms leading cardiovascular disease in patients with kidney injury, apply now at the Department of Nephrology and the Else Kroener-Fresenius Center for Nephrological Research!

Your Role:

The PhD project is embedded in a translational research program aiming to understand how the hematopoietic system connects cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Using single-cell and spatial omics as well as large population-based datasets, the project will identify molecular and cellular mechanisms driving cardiovascular complications in kidney disease.

• Processing, quality control and analysis of scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq and spatial transcriptomics datasets
• Implementation and adaptation of machine-learning and AI methods for cell type identification, trajectory inference and regulatory network analysis
• Integration of multi-omics data (e.g. genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics) with large-scale cohorts such as UK Biobank
• Collaboration with experimental and clinical researchers to define hypotheses and interpret results in a biological and clinical context
• Presentation of results within the working group, at seminars and conferences
• Writing of a PhD thesis and contribution to scientific publications

• Processing, quality control and analysis of scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq and spatial transcriptomics datasets
• Implementation and adaptation of machine-learning and AI methods for cell type identification, trajectory inference and regulatory network analysis
• Integration of multi-omics data (e.g. genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics) with large-scale cohorts such as UK Biobank
• Collaboration with experimental and clinical researchers to define hypotheses and interpret results in a biological and clinical context
• Presentation of results within the working group, at seminars and conferences
• Writing of a PhD thesis and contribution to scientific publications
• Very good command of English (spoken and written); German is an advantage but not required
• High motivation, ability to work independently as well as in an interdisciplinary team, good organizational and communication skills
• Due to legal regulations, valid proof of measles immunity / measles vaccination is required.

• In addition to an attractive salary based on a collective agreement (TV-G-U) with an annual special payment, you benefit from long-term security through company pension schemes
• You work 40h/week and limited to 3 years, possible starting option 01.02.2026
• Internal and external training for your professional development
• Benefit from our attractive health offers. We offer regular online and face-to-face courses on nutrition, relaxation, sports and exercise
• Part-time employment is possible, we offer childcare in our daycare center (if you have any questions, please contact UKF-Familienservice), child care during holidays
• Free public transport in all Hessen (Free State Ticket Hessen)
• Uniklinik-Campus, Mensa, Cafés

Contact: Prof. Dr. Dr. Thimoteus Speer (Department of Internal Medicine 4)
Email: sekretariat.nephrologie@unimedizin-ffm.de
Application Deadline: 19.12.2025

Please send your application with the usual documents consisting of CV, letter of motivation and two references (one pdf-document please!)

We welcome applications from candidates of all genders. Women are currently underrepresented in these positions at Universitätsmedizin Frankfurt. Therefore, applications from women are especially encouraged. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration in cases of equal personal and professional qualifications.