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TUM Klinikum / Rechts der Isar

PhD Student (m/w/d) - Life Sciences / Biotechnology / Chemistry 

Part-time | temporary (36 months) | Department of Nuclear Medicine

Our research:

In the Department of Nuclear Medicine, we are interested in the development and clinical translation of molecular imaging tools for various applications, such as oncology, regenerative medicine, immunotherapies, as well as cell and gene therapies. Our interdisciplinary environment brings together a broad range of expertise, including biomarker discovery and evaluation, chemical synthesis and radiolabeling, protein biochemistry, radiochemistry, and preclinical imaging using PET, SPECT, and fluorescence techniques. We also work on animal model development, histopathological validation, tumor biology, and molecular biology.

Our research aims to develop creative and innovative strategies to characterize new classes of molecular imaging agents and advance those with translational potential. This environment allows PhD students to experience the full drug development pathway—from initial molecular design tailored to a medical need to the creation and evaluation of clinically applicable radiopharmaceuticals.

The project is a sub-project of the Collaborative Research Center 338 “Lymphocyte Engineering for Therapeutic Synthetic Immunity” (LETSimmun) in its second funding period (2026-29).
For further information, please see https://letsimmun.de.

The project will build on the PET reporter gene technology that we have recently developed (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41551-025-01415-7 & https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/7/890).
Embedding the PhD project within the Collaborative Research Center 338 “LETSimmun” ensures that the PhD candidate to be selected can combine this PET tracking technology with state-of-the-art CAR-T and TCR-T cell therapies.

Your responsibilities:

In your PhD project “Tracking novel adapter CAR-T cell therapies using Positron Emission Tomography”, your work will involve:

• Engineering and optimizing CAR-T cells that can be chemically programmed using small-molecule adapters
• Functional evaluation of adapter CAR-T cell function
• Characterization of novel adapters in vitro and in vivo
• Radiolabeling of CAR-T cells and adapters for PET/CT imaging
• Animal studies in collaboration with other researchers and technicians
• Image analysis using AI-segmentation algorithms and mathematical modeling of pharmacokinetic profiles
• Experimental design, realization, and analysis of scientific data, writing of manuscripts, presentation of data at conferences

Your profile:

• Excellent university degree (Master or equivalent) in biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry, or a related field
• Strong motivation, curiosity, and commitment to scientific excellence
• Proactive, independent, and critical work style
• Good organizational and time-management abilities
• Ability to analyze data, troubleshoot experiments, and interpret results independently
• Practical experience in either molecular biology techniques and mammalian cell culture or in organic synthesis and chemical analysis techniques is expected
• Willingness to perform in vivo experiments with mice
• Strong team spirit and enthusiasm for working in a multidisciplinary, collaborative environment
• Very good command of English (level B2)

We offer you:

• You will work in an interdisciplinary group of scientists and clinicians (Postdocs and PhD students with a background in chemistry, biology, physics, veterinarians, physicians, and technical assistants) with excellent infrastructure and a strong focus on translational research
• Our laboratories are located in the Center for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM) and the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the TUM University Hospital near the city center of Munich
• You will be a member of the graduate program at TUM & the CRC TRR338 “LETSimmun”, which will give you the opportunity to participate in various workshops (scientific and soft skills), seminars and career-building programs
• EGYM well pass, corporate benefits and discounts (e.g. Käfer), cafeteria, sports and cultural offers, company bike
• Free use of the library through a branch of the Munich City Library located in the building
• Working in the heart of Munich at Max-Weber-Platz with very good accessibility by public transport such as the subway, S-Bahn or tram
• Company pension plan through the Federal and State Pension Institute (VBL)
• Self-realization through a varied and technically demanding job with interdisciplinary cooperation between various departments of the MRI

We look forward to your application!

Contact: Mr. Volker Morath | Department of Nuclear Medicine

Please submit your complete application documents by e-mail quoting “Tracking novel adapter CAR-T cell therapies using Positron Emission Tomography” by 13th February 2026 at the latest including: 

• reference number 26_01_017 and
• your preferred starting date.

Department of Nuclear Medicine

TUM Klinikum
Rechts der Isar
Ismaninger Straße 22
81675 München

**E-Mail: bewerbung.nuklearmedizin@mri.tum.de

If the candidates’ suitability for the position in question is equal, severely disabled applicants shall be given preference. Interview-related costs can, unfortunately, not be reimbursed.