Ph.D. position – Oxidative potential of non-exhaust Particulate Matter and their Toxicological, Immunological and Epigenetic Signature in Human Lung Cell Models (f/m/x)

13.02.2026, Wissenschaftliches Personal

The Imperial College London – Technical University Munich Joint Academy of Doctoral Studies (JADS) is a collaborative doctoral program. Within this program we offer a PhD position at Institute of Lung Health and Immunity (Helmholtz Munich).

The Imperial College London – Technical University Munich Joint Academy of Doctoral Studies (JADS) is a collaborative doctoral program and research flagship that brings together two of Europe’s most innovative universities to deliver cutting-edge science and jointly train the next generation of UK and German researchers. This program is one of a broad set of instruments that have been designed with the goal of bringing together two of the world’s best universities to respond to societies’ greatest challenges. The particle pollution and human health challenge of the Imperial-TUM Centre for Health Resilience in a Changing Planet is an immensely important step in this direction. The theme goes beyond scientific discovery; it's an opportunity to rethink the entire engineering design process. By integrating cutting-edge health research, emerging technologies, circular economy principles, and sustainable materials science, we can create solutions that are both economically viable and environmentally regenerative.

Within this program we offer a PhD position at Institute of Lung Health and Immunity (Helmholtz Munich). The Institute of Lung Health and Immunity explores the immunological mechanisms underlying chronic lung diseases such as COPD, lung fibrosis, asthma, lung cancer. Decades of evidence from laboratory and epidemiological studies demonstrate the adverse health effects of particulate matter (PM). A key driver is PM2.5-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, which triggers oxidative stress and inflammation via redox-sensitive pathways. This project investigates how the intrinsic chemical reactivity of PM2.5 relates to pro-inflammatory lung responses and chronic disease development.

Your mission

• Developing relevant air-liquid interface lung cell models

• Performing air-liquid interface cell exposure to PM using advanced exposure systems

• Determining PM-induced reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS, NO) formation

• Unravelling PM-induced redox and immune responses

• Identifying the targets of ROS/NO and characterizing redox-regulated pathways induced by PM exposure

• Analyzing the activation of PM-induced innate immune memory mechanisms

Your qualifications

- Master degree in Immunology, Biochemistry, Biology, Molecular Biotechnology or equivalent fields

- Basic experience in at least two of the following areas: Redox-biochemistry, epigenetics, molecular biology, protein biochemistry, immunology

- Experience in chromatin analysis, e.g. ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, WGBS, histone modifications

- Strong motivation, resilience, scientific curiosity, and commitment to scientific excellence

- We expect the ability to work independently, excellent organization, communication and presentation skills and the ability to interact and cooperate within a heterogeneous scientific environment.

- Excellent command of the English language

Desirable qualifications

- Practical experience in mammalian cell culture practices and biological assays

- Basic experience/knowledge in (aerosol) toxicology

- Interest in multidisciplinary experimental research

Candidate should be willing to work for 6-9 months at the project partner research institute in the UK (costs are included in the fellowship). Students will be enrolled at the Technical University Munich.

Your Application

We are looking forward to receiving your comprehensive online application, including your letter of motivation, CV, and academic transcripts of records, preferably in English.

Kontakt: christian.lindermayr@tum.de