PhD position (m/f/d) in Neuroimmunology and Glial Biology

29.11.2025, Wissenschaftliches Personal

Start: February 2026 | Location: Technical University of Munich, University Hospital rechts der Isar The Laboratory for Immune-Glia Interactions in CNS Disorders (Institute for Experimental Neuroimmunology, PI: PD Dr. med. Ali Maisam Afzali) is recruiting a highly motivated PhD candidate to join our team. About us Our research focuses on the pathomechanisms of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, aiming to identify glial-derived determinants of disease trajectories as potential therapeutic targets. We combine cutting-edge biomolecular approaches with high-performance analytical technologies to study disease mechanisms in experimental models of CNS disorders. Project The PhD candidate will investigate the cell type-specific role of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) in an experimental model of multiple sclerosis (MS). This project builds on recent findings from the phase III Hercules trial (Fox et al., NEJM 2025) showing therapeutic effects of BTK inhibition in non-relapsing secondary progressive MS – a subgroup currently lacking effective treatments. The work will include • Experimental animal handling and phenotyping (EAE models) • Flow cytometry, histology, and molecular analyses • Molecular cloning and production of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) for cell type-specific in vivo gene perturbation • RNA sequencing (single cell and bulk) and bioinformatics • Help mentor students, present results within the lab and at conferences, and contribute to manuscript preparation. Your profile • Excellent Master’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Research, Bioengineering, or a related field, with a particular focus on molecular, cellular, or neurobiology • Strong motivation for biomedical research and ability to work independently • Solid understanding of immunology and the central nervous system • Very good written and spoken English • Analytical and creative mindset, with a strong willingness to learn new techniques Desirable experience • FELASA certificate or equivalent for animal handling • Familiarity with neuroimmunology models (e.g., EAE) • Histological techniques and imaging (e.g., immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy) • Isolation of single-cell suspensions and multi-parameter flow cytometry • Molecular cloning with focus on CRISPR-based approaches • Experience with viral vector systems (e.g., AAV production and purification) • Single-cell RNA sequencing workflows and basic bioinformatics • Experience with Python and R for transcriptomic data analysis We offer The position (TV-L13 (65%) salary according to German public sector regulations) is located at the internationally recognized Institute for Experimental Neuroimmunology (ENI) at the University Hospital of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany. The ENI conducts cutting-edge research to understand how immune responses in the CNS are initiated and controlled. This is a unique opportunity to join a newly established laboratory within ENI and contribute to shaping its scientific direction. You will benefit from a stimulating environment with access to state-of-the-art technologies and close collaborations with leading institutions in Bavaria (TUM, LMU, Helmholtz Center Munich) and beyond (ETH Zurich, Harvard Medical School). Munich offers an outstanding quality of life, combining a vibrant international city with proximity to the Bavarian Alps and excellent transport links across Europe. How to apply Please send your application including: • Motivation letter describing your previous research experience and current research interests • CV • Relevant certificates • Up to two potential referees electronically to: ali.afzali@tum.de Institut für Experimentelle Neuroimmunologie (ENI) AG Immune-Glia Interactions in CNS Disorders PD Dr. med. Ali Maisam Afzali Universitätsklinikum rechts der Isar der TU München Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 München http://kornlab.med.tum.de

About us
Our research focuses on the pathomechanisms of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, aiming to identify glial-derived determinants of disease trajectories as potential therapeutic targets. We combine cutting-edge biomolecular approaches with high-performance analytical technologies to study disease mechanisms in experimental models of CNS disorders.

Project
The PhD candidate will investigate the cell type-specific role of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) in an experimental model of multiple sclerosis (MS). This project builds on recent findings from the phase III Hercules trial (Fox et al., NEJM 2025) showing therapeutic effects of BTK inhibition in non-relapsing secondary progressive MS – a subgroup currently lacking effective treatments.

The work will include
• Experimental animal handling and phenotyping (EAE models)
• Flow cytometry, histology, and molecular analyses
• Molecular cloning and production of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) for cell type-specific in vivo gene perturbation
• RNA sequencing (single cell and bulk) and bioinformatics
• Help mentor students, present results within the lab and at conferences, and contribute to manuscript preparation.

Your profile
• Excellent Master’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Research, Bioengineering, or a related field, with a particular focus on molecular, cellular, or neurobiology
• Strong motivation for biomedical research and ability to work independently
• Solid understanding of immunology and the central nervous system
• Very good written and spoken English
• Analytical and creative mindset, with a strong willingness to learn new techniques

Desirable experience
• FELASA certificate or equivalent for animal handling
• Familiarity with neuroimmunology models (e.g., EAE)
• Histological techniques and imaging (e.g., immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy)
• Isolation of single-cell suspensions and multi-parameter flow cytometry
• Molecular cloning with focus on CRISPR-based approaches
• Experience with viral vector systems (e.g., AAV production and purification)
• Single-cell RNA sequencing workflows and basic bioinformatics
• Experience with Python and R for transcriptomic data analysis

We offer
The position (TV-L13 (65%) salary according to German public sector regulations) is located at the internationally recognized Institute for Experimental Neuroimmunology (ENI) at the University Hospital of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany. The ENI conducts cutting-edge research to understand how immune responses in the CNS are initiated and controlled.
This is a unique opportunity to join a newly established laboratory within ENI and contribute to shaping its scientific direction. You will benefit from a stimulating environment with access to state-of-the-art technologies and close collaborations with leading institutions in Bavaria (TUM, LMU, Helmholtz Center Munich) and beyond (ETH Zurich, Harvard Medical School).
Munich offers an outstanding quality of life, combining a vibrant international city with proximity to the Bavarian Alps and excellent transport links across Europe.

How to apply
Please send your application including:
• Motivation letter describing your previous research experience and current research interests
• CV
• Relevant certificates
• Up to two potential referees
electronically to: ali.afzali@tum.de

Institut für Experimentelle Neuroimmunologie (ENI)
AG Immune-Glia Interactions in CNS Disorders
PD Dr. med. Ali Maisam Afzali
Universitätsklinikum rechts der Isar der TU München
Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 München
http://kornlab.med.tum.de

Kontakt: ali.afzali@tum.de