PhD Postition Mycology / Immunology (f/m/d)
Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Sven Krappmann
Wasserturmstr. 3/5
91054 Erlangen
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Sven Krappmann
Molecular Mycology Group leader
+49 (0)9131 85 – 32580
Job-Id: 13306
Molecular Mycology Group leader
+49 (0)9131 85 – 32580
Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Sven Krappmann
Wasserturmstr. 3/5
91054 Erlangen
Published since: 21.07.2026
Job-Id: 13306
Mikrobiologisches Institut – Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Sven Krappmann
Wasserturmstr. 3/5
91054 Erlangen
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Sven Krappmann
Molecular Mycology Group leader
+49 (0)9131 85 – 32580
Sounds interesting?
Who we are:
The Molecular Mycology research group hosted by Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Sven Krappmann at the Institute of Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene of the University Hospital Erlangen offers a PhD position to investigate the interaction of Aspergillus fumigatus with eosinophils in a model of allergic lung inflammation.
Research activities of the lab are directed at determinants of fungal virulence with a focus on the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. This environmental mould is able to cause a variety of infectious diseases, such as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA).
In close collaboration with the Department of Infection Biology headed by Prof. David Vöhringer, we have investigated the role of eosinophilic granulocytes in the course of ABPA as well as fungal determinants of pathology. For this purpose, timely research approaches and methodologies of immunology, microbiology, and molecular infection biology are followed.
Relevant publications
- Dietschmann et al. (2022) Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) orchestrates Aspergillus fumigatus-induced eosinophil activation independently of canonical Toll-like receptor (TLR)/C-type-lectin receptor (CLR) signaling. mBio 13: e0123922.
- Adam et al. (2025) Signaling events driving Aspergillus fumigatus-induced eosinophil activation. Int J Med Microbiol 318: 151641.
- Graf et al. (2026) IL-33 expressing cDC2s promote expansion of ILC2s and eosinophilia in fungal airway inflammation in male mice. bioRxiv, doi: 10.64898/2025.12.02.691763.
Your tasks:
This DFG-funded tandem project wants to shed light on the crosstalk between Aspergillus fumigatus and eosinophilic granulocytes in the context of allergic lung inflammation by fulfilling the following tasks:
- Characterising transcription factors that shape the fungal transcriptome upon interaction with eosinophils
- Investigating the relevance of extracellular proteolysis in this scenario
Experimental approaches and readouts include
- Flow cytometry
- Quantification of cytokine levels by ELISA etc.
- RNAseq analyses
- Generation of recombinant fungal strains
- Genotyping and phenotyping of A. fumigatus mutants
Comments:
- Applications must comprise the ususal documents such as a convincing statement of motivation, scientific CV with competences, referencing letters, copies of transcript records, and certificates (high school diploma, Bachelor and Master study results).
Essential experience/qualifications:
- Intrinsic curiosity for fundamental insights in fungal immunity
- Strong motivation to conduct research as a team player
- Competences in relevant experimental approaches
- Urge to accomplish research tasks in an autonomous and interdisciplinary manner
- Routine in cell culture techniques
- Sound immunological knowledge
Additionally beneficial are:
- Hands-on experience with methodologies of fungal research
- Competences in working with filamentous fungi