Research Associate/Predoc (m/f/d)

Introduction

At the Chair of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology of the Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden

The Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD) is a research institute at TU Dresden and currently hosts over 20 research groups and around 250 employees. Research at the CRTD focuses on regenerative and stem cell research ranging from basic research to application in a clinical-translational context. Researchers at the institute develop new approaches for diagnosis and therapy in the fields of haematology/immunology, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and bone and tissue regeneration. The CRTD forms an innovative network with partners in science, administration, business and culture.

The Schneider Lab investigates how communication between organs shapes chronic gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Our research focuses on the gut-liver axis, microbial metabolites, immune regulation, neuro-immune interactions, and the molecular and cellular circuits that determine disease initiation, progression, and tissue adaptation. We combine experimental disease models with microbiome and metabolome profiling, spatial and single-cell technologies, and translational studies using well-characterized patient cohorts and human biospecimens.

The prospective doctoral project will investigate how the oral and intestinal microbiome contribute to chronic liver disease. A particular focus will be placed on understanding how diseases of the oral cavity, including periodontitis, reshape the intestinal microbiota, microbial functions, and host immune and neuro-immune responses, thereby promoting liver inflammation and disease progression. The overall aim is to define causal mechanisms and functional oral-gut–liver circuits and to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Your responsibilities:

Conduct an independent doctoral research project investigating the oral-gut-liver axis in chronic liver disease

Study how oral inflammatory diseases and changes in the oral microbiome influence the intestinal microbiota, microbial metabolites, immune responses, and liver pathology

Plan, perform, document, and evaluate experiments using relevant cellular and experimental disease models

Process and analyze biological samples from experimental models and human cohorts

Apply molecular and cellular biology techniques, which may include PCR, gene-expression analyses, immunoblotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, histology, and microbiological methods

Contribute to microbiome, transcriptomic, metabolomic, and other multi-omics analyses in collaboration with experienced postdocs

Perform statistical analyses and integrate experimental and clinical datasets

Present research findings at internal meetings and scientific conferences

Prepare scientific manuscripts and contribute to research reports and grant-related documentation

Participate actively in the scientific activities of the Schneider Lab, the CRTD, and collaborative research networks

Support the supervision of students and contribute to shared organizational responsibilities within the laboratory

Your profile:

University degree at Master´s level, in biology, molecular medicine, biomedicine, biochemistry, biotechnology, microbiology, immunology, neuroscience, bioinformatics, nutritional sciences, or a related discipline

Strong interest in microbiome research, chronic liver disease, neuroimmunology, mucosal immunology, and inter-organ communication

Experience in molecular biology,