Doctoral Fellowships DFG Research Training Group – Org-BOOST

The University Hospital Ulm with its employees (f/m/d) stands for a modern patient care with high quality, top research and medical teaching oriented towards the future as well as training in attractive professional fields.The prerequisites for this are qualified and committed employee.

The Institute of Molecular Oncology and Stem Cell Biology (IMOS) (Director: Prof. Dr. rer. med. Alexander Kleger) is instantly looking for

Doctoral Fellowships DFG Research Training Group – Org-BOOST

application deadline: 15.02.2026
Level of employment: full-time/part-time
Contract: limited

Join the forefront of translational cancer research!

The newly established DFG-funded Research Training Group Org-BOOST at Ulm University Medical Center is recruiting 10 fully funded Ph.D. candidates starting 1 May 2025. Become part of an interdisciplinary team advancing next-generation organoid-based tumor modelling and precision oncology.

Positions Available:

• Life sciences: TV-L E13 (65%)
• Computational biology: TV-L E13 (100%)

All positions are 48-month appointments leading to a doctoral degree through the International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine (IGradU).

Org-BOOST integrates human organoid technologies, bioengineering, single-cell and spatial multiomics, advanced imaging, and machine-learning-based analysis to unravel mechanisms of tumor initiation, plasticity, therapy resistance, and tumor–microenvironment interactions across multiple solid tumors. Embedded in the well-running frame of the International Graduate School at Ulm University (IGradU), Ph.D. fellows receive structured and excellent training through a Org-BOOST tailored qualification program. Training includes hands-on organoid and imaging workshops, a comprehensive bioinformatics course, seminars, journal clubs, and guidance from a dual-PI mentorship team and a Thesis Advisory Committee. Fellows gain access to cutting-edge facilities including organoid and single-cell sequencing cores, advanced microscopy, and bioprinting technologies.

• Master's degree in life sciences, computational biology, bioinformatics, or bioengineering (German grade ≤2.0 preferred)
• Strong interest in organoid technologies, cancer biology, or translational research
• Experience in laboratory or computational workflows beneficial
• R/Python skills and omics know-how required for computational students
• Commitment to full-time 48-month doctoral research and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Excellent English communication skills

Pre-selection step:
• Motivation letter (1–2 pages)
• CV (including scans of certificates academic transcripts, and references)
• Three preferred project choices (see the abstracts below)

Deadline for submission: 15th February 2026

Pre-selected candidates will be invited to:
• A virtual interview incl. presentation of a paper related to a preferred project
• IGradU selection day incl. presentation of prior work to the IGradU PhD Commission
• Face-to-face interviews with PIs
• Final matching based on candidate's preferences

Start of the Org-BOOST doctoral program: 1st May 2026

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