PhD Student; m​/f​/d) in Experimental and Computational Pediatric Brain Tumor Research CAR-T Cell

The Children’s Hospital Augsburg
(Swabian Children’s Cancer Center) and the
University of Augsburg (Biomedical Informatics, Data Mining and Data Analytics) are looking for a PhD student (m/f/d) in experimental pediatric brain tumor research. The position is a 65% part-time position which is limited to three years.

In the last years, cutting-edge tumor characterization techniques for tumors have evolved at an unprecedented pace and we have now the opportunity to study tumor composition down to the single cell level. Our group is exploring the genetic hallmarks and evolution of pediatric brain tumors (including rhabdoid tumors and other embryonal tumors).

Recently, we have conducted integrative, large-scale multi-omic characterizations of pediatric rhabdoid and other high-risk tumors (Johann et al., Cancer Cell, 2016;
Erkek, Johann et al., Cancer Cell, 2019;
Fincke et al., Clinical Cancer Research, 2023; Mucha et al., Communications Medicine, 2025; Fincke et al., Nature Communications, 2026, accepted), opening new avenues for translating these findings into the clinic.

To advance this translational potential, extensive tumor modeling and treatment optimization using CAR-T cells are essential. Together with our partner institutions, we are currently establishing a growing biobank of tumor organoids that will enable systematic assessment of their susceptibility to CAR‑T‑cell‑mediated treatment. This resource will support the development and optimization of personalized CAR‑T‑cell therapies for pediatric high‑risk tumors.

As clinic of the University Hospital Augsburg (UKA), we are part of a rapidly growing academic center. The UKA is a large-scale care provider with 1699 patient beds in 22 clinics and approximately 2800 employees. Scientifically, the hospital is member of the NCT‑WERA cooperation and thus one location of the NCT (national center for tumor diseases).

• We are looking for a motivated PhD student (m/f/d) with a keen interest in pediatric oncology, who has previous experience in the generation and/or engineering of CAR‑T cells
• Knowledge of programming languages such as Python or R is helpful but not mandatory
• The successful applicant will work at the forefront of CAR‑T‑cell engineering and the cutting-edge application of cellular therapies for the treatment of pediatric brain tumors

The Children’s Hospital Augsburg
(Swabian Children’s Cancer Center) and the
University of Augsburg (Biomedical Informatics, Data Mining and Data Analytics) are looking for a PhD student (m/f/d) in experimental pediatric brain tumor research. The position is a 65% part-time position which is limited to three years.

In the last years, cutting-edge tumor characterization techniques for tumors have evolved at an unprecedented pace and we have now the opportunity to study tumor composition down to the single cell level. Our group is exploring the genetic hallmarks and evolution of pediatric brain tumors (including rhabdoid tumors and other embryonal tumors).

Recently, we have conducted integrative, large-scale multi-omic characterizations of pediatric rhabdoid and other high-risk tumors (Johann et al., Cancer Cell, 2016;
Erkek, Johann et al., Cancer Cell, 2019;
Fincke et al., Clinical Cancer Research, 2023; Mucha et al., Communications Medicine, 2025; Fincke et al., Nature Communications, 2026, accepted), opening new avenues for translating these findings into the clinic.

To advance this translational potential, extensive tumor modeling and treatment optimization using CAR‑T cells are essential. Together with our partner institutions, we are currently establishing a growing biobank of tumor organoids that will enable systematic assessment of their susceptibility to CAR‑T‑cell‑mediated treatment. This resource will…