Medical PhD-Student

The Laboratory of Experimental Immunology is a new and energetic group that studies human immunology with a particular interest in the antibody response to HIV and other infectious pathogens. Our goal is to precisely understand the biology of humoral immunity and to use this knowledge to effectively prevent and treat infectious diseases.

To this end, our laboratory works with a wide range of techniques in molecular immunology and facilitates different humanized mouse models. Moreover, we conduct clinical trials that enable us to translate our findings into clinical applications. Our group is dedicated to provide an excellent work environment for pursuing forefront and innovative science, and strongly supports the individual development of all members in our group.

The applicant we are looking for should be highly motivated and excited about science. He/She should be enthusiastic and curious to address and solve scientific questions as well as having strong interpersonal skills and enjoying the work in a team. Written and oral communication skills in English are essential. The Candidate should allow 2 free Semester to prepare the dissertation.

We are very much looking forward to your application. Please submit your CV, brief statement of your research interest, list of publications and two references to florian.klein@uk-koeln.de or anna.schmitt@uk-koeln.de.

If you have further questions please do not hesitate to contact Prof. Dr. Florian Klein at +49 221 478-89693 or by email florian.klein@uk-koeln.de.

For further information concerning our research the following publications are recommended:

  • mRNA booster immunization elicits potent neutralizing serum activity against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. (2022). Gruell H, Vanshylla K, Tober-Lau P, Hillus D, Schommers P, Lehmann C, Kurth F, Sander LE, Klein F. Nature Medicine.

  • Analysis of antibodies from HCV elite neutralizers identifies genetic determinants of broad neutralization. (2021). Weber T, Potthoff J, Bizu S, Labuhn M, Dold L, Schoofs T, Horning M, Ercanoglu MS, Kreer C, Gieselmann L, Vanshylla K, Langhans B, Janicki H, Ströh LJ, Knops E, Nierhoff D, Spengler U, Kaiser R, Bjorkman PJ, Krey T, Bankwitz D, Pfeifer N, Pietschmann T, Flyak AI, Klein F. Immunity.

  • Longitudinal isolation of potent near-germline SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies from COVID-19 patients.(2020). Kreer C, Zehner M, Weber T, Ercanoglu MS, Gieselmann L, Rohde C, Halwe S, Korenkov M, Schommers P, Vanshylla K, Di Cristanziano V, Janicki H, Brinker R, Ashurov A, Krähling V, Kupke A, Cohen-Dvashi H, Koch M, Eckert JM, Lederer S, Pfeifer S, Wolf T, Vehreschild MJGT, Wendtner C, Diskin R, Gruell H, Becker S, Klein F.. Cell.

  • Restriction of HIV-1 Escape by a Highly Broad and Potent Neutralizing Antibody.(2020). Schommers P, Gruell H, Abernathy ME, Tran M-K, Dingens AS, Gristick HB, Barnes CO, Schoofs T, Schlotz M, Vanshylla K, Kreer C, Weiland D, Holtick U, Scheid C, Valter MV, van Gils MJ, Sanders RW, Vehreschild JJ, Cornely OA, Lehmann C, Fätkenheuer G, Seaman MS, Bloom JD, Bjorkman J, Klein F. Cell.

  • Polyclonal and convergent antibody response to Ebola virus vaccine rVSV-ZEBOV. (2019). Ehrhardt SA, Zehner M, Krähling V, Cohen-Dvashi H, Kreer C, Elad N, Gruell H, Ercanoglu MS, Schommers P, Gieselmann L, Eggeling R, Dahlke C, Wolf T, Pfeifer N, Addo MM, Diskin R, Becker S, Klein F. Nature Medicine.