Two PhD fellowships in Immunology

Job portal All vacanciesTwo PhD fellowships in ImmunologyWe are offering two PhD fellowships from March 1st, 2026About The LEO Foundation Skin Immunology Research Center (SIC)The LEO Foundation Skin Immunology Research Center is located on the 12th floor in the award-winning Maersk Tower at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology. We offer ultra-modern facilities and a vibrant international research environment with a focus on the development of early-career scientists. Based on a grant from the LEO Foundation of more than 50 million EUR, the center aims to unite leading Danish and international researchers in immunology and skin disease to provide new knowledge to enable better diagnostics and more effective treatments for a wide range of inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema. Information about the center can be found at: https://www.sic.ku.dk/.Our group and researchThe Allergic Inflammation group at the Leo Foundation Skin Immunology Research Centre within ISIM is led by professor and director Jonathan Coquet. Together with assistant professor Wenning Zheng, our interests revolve around understanding the fundamentals of both inflammatory autoimmune diseases and allergic inflammation where the research is focused on the underlying immune mechanism in health and disease. We use single cell sequencing and advanced immunological assay to probe cell phenotypes, cell identities, and T cell clones´ responses and pathways for cellular differentiation in human and mouse. The team is diverse and participates in interdisciplinary work with national and international collaborators.Project DescriptionThe project aims to identify and fully characterize antigen-specific T cells at individual clone level in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. These include chronic inflammatory skin diseases like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and vitiligo, but extend to other infectious, autoimmune and allergic conditions. The candidates will use T cell stimulation assays, T cell receptor cloning and expression, flow cytometry and single cell RNA-sequencing to identify and validate T cell clonal responses and identify putative reactive antigens. The projects will combine clinical patient material and preclinical models of disease in mouse models, and it is hoped that we will gain fundamental insights into how T cells respond to allergens/antigens and the exact identity of some of these peptide-specific responses.Job DescriptionYour key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:Carrying out an independent research project under supervision.Completing PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS points.Participating in active research environments including a stay at another research team.Obtaining experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project.Teaching and disseminating your knowledge.Writing a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project.Key criteria for the assessment of applicantsApplicants must have qualifications corresponding to a master’s degree related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Master of Science (MSc) in Immunology, Molecular Biomedicine, Human Biology or similar. Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (two years).Other Important Criteria AreProfessional qualifications relevant to the PhD project, including previous experience with wet lab work and presenting scientific results.Relevant work experience: Processing of human and mouse tissue (including blood, skin, and other organs)Expertise in flow cytometry analysis with possibility to learn advance analysis (eg. batch-correction and UMAP generation)Experience with cell culturesPerforming qRT-PCR, western blot, ELISA, transduction assays and immunofluorescence microscopyKnowledge of single cell/bulk RNA sequencing techniques and library preparation is an advantageA curious mind-set with a strong interest in inflammatory skin diseases and T cell biology.Strong networking and team player skills.Excellent English skills, written and spoken.Have a Danish FELASA C certificate.Place of employmentThe place of employment is at the Leo Foundation Skin Immunology Research Centre, situated in the Maersk Tower, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research center includes modern laboratories and access to core microscopy and flow cytometry facilities that are world class. We are situated in close proximity with other research centres, providing a vibrant and multidisciplinary work environment.Terms of employment The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years. The start date is March 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible hereafter.The employment is conditioned upon the applicant’s success­ful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the faculty’s rules on achieving the degree.Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agree­ment between the Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at approximately 31,200 DKK/Roughly 4,150 EUR (November 2025 level) plus pension.QuestionsFor specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contactAssistant professor Wenning Zheng, wenning.zheng@sund.ku.dkGeneral information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/Application procedureYour Application Must Be Submitted Electronically By Clicking ‘Apply Now’ Below. The Application Must Include The Following Documents In PDF FormatMotivated letter of application in English (max. one page)CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the positionCertified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science4. Publication list (if possible)Application deadline: November 26th, 2025, 23.59pm CETWe reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.The further process After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.You find information about the recruitment process at: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/The applicants will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.Interviews are expected to be held in weeks 2 and 3 in 2026.The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background. APPLY NOWPart of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.ContactWenning ZhengE-mail: bkx590@ku.dkInfoApplication deadline: 26-11-2025Employment start: 01-03-2026Working hours: Full timeDepartment/Location: Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM)" id="cookiefilter-placeholder-1">Content not available due to cookie preferencesYou cannot see the content of this field because of your cookie preferences.Click here to change your cookie settings.Category: MarketingSearch all vacancies