Introduction

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The institute for Experimental Virology, led by Prof. Thomas Pietschmann, at TWINCORE, is seeking a Postdoc for hepatitis C virus vaccine research.

Join a mission-driven team tackling a global health priority.

TWINCORE is a joint institution of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and the Hannover Medical School (MHH). At TWINCORE, medical and basic scientists conduct joint research in infection research, particularly at the interface between basic research and clinical development. This basic research aims to develop new preventive measures, therapies, and diagnostic procedures for patients, as well as find answers to questions arising from clinical practice.

Are you a passionate scientist with a background in virology or immunology, eager to work at the forefront of vaccine development? Our international and interdisciplinary research team invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow to help advance the search for an effective prophylactic hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine .

Why this research matters:

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects nearly 50 million people globally , and despite the availability of antiviral therapies, many remain undiagnosed or untreated. Each year, over 240,000 lives are lost to HCV-related complications. The World Health Organization has identified HCV as a global health priority (PMID: 39500705). A preventive vaccine is urgently needed to reduce transmission and ease the global disease burden.

Our research is at the leading edge of translational vaccinology , aiming to define the key immune mechanisms that confer protection against HCV and to translate this knowledge into innovative, optimized vaccine candidates (PMIDs: 35015104, 34990590, 33323394, 30439392; patent: WO2024003343A1).

Your tasks

About the project:

You will contribute to a project funded by the DZIF , in collaboration with national and international partners, including the Cluster of Excellence RESIST and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research . The focus is on evaluating and selecting the most promising HCV vaccine candidate for clinical translation , based on rigorous benchmarks of efficacy, safety, and feasibility .

Tasks As part of a dynamic and collaborative team, you will:

• compare and refine vaccine candidates in collaboration with structural biologists and bioinformaticians
• evaluate vaccine-induced immunity in vivo, focusing on B cell responses and broadly neutralizing antibodies
• benchmark immune profiles against those observed in individuals who naturally clear HCV infection
• leverage cutting-edge tools, including advanced in vitro platforms and humanized mouse models

Your profile

Prerequisites Required qualifications:

• PhD in virology, immunology, or a related field
• degree in life sciences, human medicine, or veterinary medicine
• in-depth knowledge of infection biology and virology
• FELASA B (or equivalent) certificate and willingness to work with animal model
• good written and spoken English

Preferred qualifications:

• FELASA C (or equivalent) certification
• hands-on experience in vaccine research
• expertise in T-cell immunology or next-generation sequencing
• familiarity with RNA virus biology and bioinformatics pipelines
• experience in project management and ability to work in an international team

What we offer:

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• Postdoc For Hepatitis C Virus Vaccine

Working hours

39 hours per week

• work on a high-impact, translational project that bridges basic science and clinical application
• access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure
• opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers across Europe and beyond
• supportive, international team culture with a strong emphasis on mentoring
• flexible working conditions and family-friendly policies
• comprehensive professional development and training opportunities
• a family office to support family and career as well as childcare offers
• interesting additional public service benefits
• option of an additional employer subsidy for the job ticket

People with severe disabilities and equivalent professional qualifications who are suitable for the position are given preference. In order to protect your rights, we ask you to provide us with a clearly recognizable reference to the existence of a degree of severe disability in your cover letter or resume.

The position is held at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH (HZI) in Braunschweig. The place of employment is Hannover.

The HZI is actively committed to equality, diversity, and integration. For this reason, the HZI pursues the goal of professional equality between women and men and expressly welcomes applications from qualified women. The position is suitable for part-time work.