Klinik für Innere Medizin IIGastroenterologie, Hepatologie, Endokrinologie und Infektiologie

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with a passion for exciting state-of-the art technology to work with a team of translational immunologists to lead the mass cytometry and imaging facility in the Bengsch lab as part of the Translational EXperimental IMmunology labs at the University of Freiburg, Germany.

Key Responsibilities:

• operation, maintenance and use of the CyTOF Helios and the HyperionImaging System
• build and optimize mass cytometry and imaging cytometry antibody panels
• conjugation and QC of mass cytometry reagents
• consult with users regarding potential mass cytometry projects which may include guiding experimental set-up and procedure optimization, panel design, and data analysis consultation
• basic data quality assessment
• perform and analyze mass cytometry and imaging experiments
• act as a liaison between users and applications specialist

Key Requirements:

• PhD degree in immunology, biological sciences, biochemistry or related field (other technical and academic (diploma/Master’s) degrees will be considered based on research experience)
• demonstrated skill with flow or mass cytometry (previous experience with mass cytometry is a plus) (sample preparation, instrument optimization and data analysis)
• experience with Immunofluorescence and/or Immunohistochemistry techniques or Imaging Mass cytometry (slide preparation staining optimization visualization and data analysis).
• interest in bioinformatics, experience with basic flow cytometry software and R preferred
• ability to identify and troubleshoot critical issues
• detail-oriented
• excellent communication and organizational skills

What we offer:

• exciting translational research
• work in an interdisciplinary team
• being part of the German Mass Cytometry Network
• hospital-standard social benefits, e.g., UKF job ticket
• employment according to TV-L according to academic qualification
• Freiburg is an attractive University city next to the Black Forest in Germany, that is also highly international, "green" and also considered a top destination close to France and Switzerland surrounded by a beautiful landscape

Please direct your informative applications with CV and letter of motivation to masscytometry.med2@uniklinik-freiburg.de or contact Bertram Bengsch (PI) directly.

1. Wild K, Smits M, Killmer S, Strohmeier S, Neumann-Haefelin C, Bengsch B, Krammer F, Schwemmle M, Hofmann M, Thimme R, Zoldan K, Boettler T. 2021
   Pre-existing immunity and vaccine history determine hemagglutinin-specific CD4 T cell and IgG response following seasonal influenza vaccination. Nat Commun. 8;12(1):6720.

2. Zoldan K, Ehrlich S, Killmer S, Wild K, Smits M, Russ M, Globig AM, Hofmann M, Thimme R, Boettler T. 2021
   Th1-Biased Hepatitis C Virus-Specific Follicular T Helper-Like Cells Effectively Support B Cells After Antiviral Therapy. Front Immunol. 30;12:742061. 

3. Basho K, Zoldan K, Schultheiss M, Bettinger D, Globig AM, Bengsch B, Neumann-Haefelin C, Klocperk A, Warnatz K, Hofmann M, Thimme R, Boettler T. 2021
   IL-2 contributes to cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction by impairing follicular T helper cells in advanced cirrhosis. J Hepatol. 74(3):649-660.

4. Schulien I, Kemming J, Oberhardt V, Wild K, Seidel LM, Killmer S, Sagar, Daul F, Salvat Lago M, Decker A, Luxenburger H, Binder B, Bettinger D, Sogukpinar O, Rieg S, Panning M, Huzly D, Schwemmle M, Kochs G, Waller CF, Nieters A, Duerschmied D, Emmerich F, Mei HE, Schulz AR, Llewellyn-Lacey S, Price DA, Boettler T*, Bengsch B*, Thimme R*, Hofmann M*, Neumann-Haefelin C*. 2021
   Characterization of pre-existing and induced SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells. Nat Med. 27(1):78-85.

5. Smits M, Zoldan K, Ishaque N, Gu Z, Jechow K, Wieland D, Conrad C, Eils R, Fauvelle C, Baumert TF, Emmerich F, Bengsch B, Neumann-Haefelin C, Hofmann M, Thimme R, Boettler T. 2020
   Follicular T helper cells shape the HCV-specific CD4+ T cell repertoire after virus elimination. J Clin Invest. 130(2):998-1009.

6. Jacobi FJ, Wild K, Smits M, Zoldan K, Csernalabics B, Flecken T, Lang J, Ehrenmann P, Emmerich F, Hofmann M, Thimme R, Neumann-Haefelin C, Boettler T. 2019
   OX40 stimulation and PD-L1 blockade synergistically augment HBV-specific CD4 T cells in patients with HBeAg-negative infection. J Hepatol. 70(6):1103-1113.

7. Adam L, Zoldan K, Hofmann M, Schultheiss M, Bettinger D, Neumann-Haefelin C, Thimme R, Boettler T. 2018
   Follicular T Helper Cell Signatures in Primary Biliary Cholangitis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. Hepatol Commun. 7;2(9):1051-1063.

8. Raziorrouh B, Sacher K, Tawar RG, Emmerich F, Neumann-Haefelin C, Baumert TF, Thimme R, Boettler T. 2016
   Virus-Specific CD4+ T Cells Have Functional and Phenotypic Characteristics of Follicular T-Helper Cells in Patients With Acute and Chronic HCV Infections. Gastroenterology. 150(3):696-706.e3.

9. Boettler T, Schneider D, Cheng Y, Kadoya K, Brandon EP, Martinson L, Herrath MV. 2016
   Pancreatic tissue transplanted in TheraCyte™ encapsulation devices are protected and prevent hyperglycemia in a mouse model of immune-mediated diabetes. Cell Transplant. 25(3):609-14.

10. Boettler T, Choi YS, Salek-Ardakani S, Cheng Y, Moeckel F, Croft M, Crotty S, von Herrath M. 2013
    Exogenous OX40 stimulation during lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection impairs follicular Th cell differentiation and diverts CD4 T cells into the effector lineage by upregulating Blimp-1. J Immunol. 15;191(10):5026-35.

11. Boettler T, Pagni PP, Jaffe R, Cheng Y, Zerhouni P, von Herrath M. 2013
    The clinical and immunological significance of GAD-specific autoantibody and T-cell responses in type 1 diabetes. J Autoimmun. 44:40-8.

12. Boettler T, Moeckel F, Cheng Y, Heeg M, Salek-Ardakani S, Crotty S, Croft M, von Herrath MG. 2012
    OX40 facilitates control of a persistent virus infection. PLoS Pathog. 8(9):e1002913.

13. Boettler T, Cheng Y, Ehrhardt K, von Herrath M. 2012
    TGF-β blockade does not improve control of an established persistent viral infection. Viral Immunol. 25(3):232-8.

14. Boettler T, Panther E, Bengsch B, Nazarova N, Spangenberg HC, Blum HE, Thimme R. 2006
    Expression of the interleukin-7 receptor alpha chain (CD127) on virus-specific CD8+ T cells identifies functionally and phenotypically defined memory T cells during acute resolving hepatitis B virus infection. J Virol. 80(7):3532-40.

15. Boettler T, Spangenberg HC, Neumann-Haefelin C, Panther E, Urbani S, Ferrari C, Blum HE, von Weizsäcker F, Thimme R. 2005
    T cells with a CD4+CD25+ regulatory phenotype suppress in vitro proliferation of virus-specific CD8+ T cells during chronic hepatitis C virus infection. J Virol. 79(12):7860-7.

1. Maier A, Kaeser R, Thimme R, Boettler T. 2019
   Acute pancreatitis and vasoplegic shock associated with leptospirosis - a case report and review of the literature. BMC Infect Dis. 8;19(1):395.

2. Bettinger D, Martin D, Rieg S, Schultheiss M, Buettner N, Thimme R, Boettler T. 2018
   Treatment with proton pump inhibitors is associated with increased mortality in patients with pyogenic liver abscess. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 47(6):801-808.

3. Boettler T, Lutz L, Schmidt N, Thimme R, Neumann-Haefelin C. 2015
   An uncommon presentation of a common pathogen. Gut. 64(9):1411, 1453. 

1. Boettler T, Lohmann V, Bartenschlager R. 2019
   [Hepatitis C: From Individual Cure to Worldwide Elimination?]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 144(8):535-542.
2. Luxenburger H, Neumann-Haefelin C, Thimme R, Boettler T. 2018
   HCV-Specific T Cell Responses During and After Chronic HCV Infection. Viruses. 17;10(11).
3. Boettler T, Thimme R. 2018
   Lost in Inflammation: The Functional Conversion of Regulatory T Cells in Acute Hepatitis A Virus Infection. Gastroenterology. 154(4):798-800.
4. Boettler T, Thimme R, Neumann-Haefelin C. 2015
   [Cure of chronic Hepatitis B and C: vision versus reality]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 140(14):1056-62.
5. Boettler T, Moradpour D, Thimme R, Zoulim F. 2014
   Bridging basic science and clinical research: the EASL Monothematic Conference on Translational Research in Viral Hepatitis. J Hepatol. 61(3):696-705.
6. Boettler T, von Herrath M. 2012
   IL-7 receptor α blockade, an off-switch for autoreactive T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 31;109(31):12270-1.
7. Boettler T, Cunha-Neto E, Kalil J, von Herrath M. 2012
   Can an immune-regulatory vaccine prevent HIV infection? Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 10(3):299-305.
8. Boettler T, von Herrath M. 2011
   Protection against or triggering of Type 1 diabetes? Different roles for viral infections. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 7(1):45-53.

Purinergic P2Y₂ receptors promote neutrophil infiltration and hepatocyte death in mice with acute liver injury. Ayata CK, Ganal SC, Hockenjos B, Willim K, Vieira RP, Grimm M, Robaye B, Boeynaems JM, Di Virgilio F, Pellegatti P, Diefenbach A, Idzko M, Hasselblatt P. (2012) Gastroenterology 143(6):1620-1629.

The transcription factor c-Jun protects against liver damage following activated β-Catenin signaling. Trierweiler C, Blum HE, Hasselblatt P. (2012) PLoS One 7(7):e40638.

The transcription factor c-Jun protects against sustained hepatic endoplasmic reticulum stress thereby promoting hepatocyte survival. Fuest M, Willim K, MacNelly S, Fellner N, Resch GP, Blum HE, Hasselblatt P. (2012) Hepatology. 55(2):408-18.

Impairment of hepatic growth hormone and glucocorticoid receptor signaling causes steatosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in mice. Mueller KM, Kornfeld JW, Friedbichler K, Blaas L, Egger G, Esterbauer H, Hasselblatt P, Schlederer M, Haindl S, Wagner KU, Engblom D, Haemmerle G, Kratky D, Sexl V, Kenner L, Kozlov AV, Terracciano L, Zechner R, Schuetz G, Casanova E, Pospisilik JA, Heim MH, Moriggl R. (2011) Hepatology. 54(4):1398-409.

The role of the transcription factor AP-1 in colitis-associated and beta-catenin-dependent intestinal tumorigenesis in mice. Hasselblatt P, Gresh L, Kudo H, Guinea-Viniegra J, Wagner EF. (2008) Oncogene 27(47):6102-9.

Development of pulmonary fibrosis through a pathway involving the transcription factor Fra-2/AP-1. Eferl R*, Hasselblatt P*, Rath M, Popper H, Zenz R, Komnenovic V, Idarraga MH, Kenner L, Wagner EF. (2008) Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 105(30):10525-30. (*equal contribution)

Hepatocyte survival in acute hepatitis is due to c-Jun/AP-1-dependent expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase. Hasselblatt P, Rath M, Komnenovic V, Zatloukal K, Wagner EF. (2007) Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104(43):17105-10

1. Schuch A, Salimi Alizei E, Heim K, Wieland D, Kiraithe MM, Kemming J, Llewellyn-Lacey S, Sogukpinar Ö, Ni Y, Urban S, Zimmermann P, Nassal M, Emmerich F, Price DA, Bengsch B, Luxenburger H, Neumann-Haefelin C, Hofmann M, Thimme R. Phenotypic and functional differences of HBV core-specific versus HBV polymerase-specific CD8+ T cells in chronically HBV-infected patients with low viral load. Gut. 2019 May;68(5):905-915
2. Wieland D, Kemming J, Schuch A, Emmerich F, Knolle P, Neumann-Haefelin C, Held W, Zehn D, Hofmann M, Thimme R. TCF1(+) hepatitis C virus-specific CD8(+) T cells are maintained after cessation of chronic antigen stimulation. Nat Commun. 2017; May 3;8:15050
3. Utzschneider DT, Charmoy M, Chennupati V, Pousse L, Ferreira DP, Calderon-Copete S, Danilo M, Alfei F, Hofmann M, Wieland D, Pradervand S, Thimme R, Zehn D, Held W. T Cell Factor 1-Expressing Memory-like CD8(+) T Cells Sustain the Immune Response to Chronic Viral Infections. Immunity. 2016; 45(2):415-27
4. Hoh A, Heeg M, Ni Y, Schuch A, Binder B, Hennecke N, Blum HE, Nassal M, Protzer U, Hofmann M, Urban S, Thimme R. Hepatitis B Virus-Infected HepG2hNTCP Cells Serve as a Novel Immunological Tool To Analyze the Antiviral Efficacy of CD8+ T Cells In Vitro. J Virol. 2015; 89(14):7433-8
5. Martin B, Hennecke N, Lohmann V, Kayser A, Neumann-Haefelin C, Kukolj G, Böcher WO, Thimme R. Restoration of HCV-specific CD8+ T cell function by interferon-free therapy. J Hepatol. 2014; 61(3):538-43
6. Seigel B, Bengsch B, Lohmann V, Blum HE, Thimme R. Factors that determine the antiviral efficacy of HCV-specific CD8+ T cells, ex vivo. Gastroenterology 2013, 144:426-36
7. Schmidt J, Iversen A, Tenzer, Gosticke, Priced, Lohmann V, Distler U, Bowness P, Schild, Blum HE, Klenerman P, Neumann-Haefelin C., Thimme R. Rapid antigen processing and presentation of a protective and immunodominant HLA-B*27-restricted Hepatitis C virus-specific CD8+ T-cell epitope. PLoS Pathog 2012, 8:e1003042
8. Bengsch B, Seigel B, Flecken T, Wolanski J, Blum HE, Thimme R. Human Th17 cells express high levels of enzymatically active Dipeptidylpeptidase IV (CD26). J Immunol 2012, 188:5438-47
9. Billerbeck E, Kang YH, Walker L, Lockstone H, Grafmueller S, Fleming V, Flint J, Willberg CB, Bengsch B, Seigel B, Ramamurthy N, Zitzmann N, Barnes EJ, Thevanayagam J, Bhagwanani A, Leslie A, Oo YH, Kollnberger S, Bowness P, Drognitz O, Adams DH, Blum HE, Thimme R*, Klenerman P*. (equal contribution) Analysis of CD161 expression on human CD8+ T cells defines a distinct functional subset with tissue-homing properties. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010, 107:3006-11
10. Neumann-Haefelin C, Timm J, Schmidt J, Kersting N, Fitzmaurice K, Oniangue-Ndza C, Kemper MN, Humphreys I, McKiernan S, Kelleher D, Lohmann V, Bowness P, Huzly D, Rosen HR, Kim AY, Lauer GM, Allen TM, Barnes E, Roggendorf M, Blum HE, Thimme R. Protective effect of human leukocyte antigen B27 in hepatitis C virus infection requires the presence of a genotype-specific immunodominant CD8+ T-cell epitope. Hepatology 2010, 51:54-62
11. Jo J, Aichele U, Kersting N, Klein R, Aichele P, Bisse E, Sewell AK, Blum HE, Bartenschlager R, Lohmann V, Thimme R. Analysis of CD8+ T cell-mediated inhibition of hepatitis C virus replication using a novel immunological model. Gastroenterology 2009, 136:1391-401
12. Neumann-Haefelin C, Timm J, Spangenberg HC, Wischnowski N, Nazarova N, Kersting N, Roggendorf M, Allen TM, Blum HE, Thimme R. Virological and immunological determinants of intrahepatic virus-specific CD8+ T cell failure in chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Hepatology 2008, 47:1824-36
13. Boettler T, Panther E, Bengsch B, Nazarova N, Spangenberg HC, Blum HE, Thimme R. Expression of the interleukin 7 receptor alpha chain on virus-specific CD8+ T cells identifies functionally and phenotypically defined memory T cells in acute resolving hepatitis B virus infection. J Virol 2006, 80:3532-40

1. Schulien I*, Kemming J*, Oberhardt V*, Wild K*, Seidel LM*, Killmer S, Sagar, Daul F, Salvat Lago M, Decker A, Luxenburger H, Binder B, Bettinger D, Sogukpinar O, Rieg S, Panning M, Huzly D, Schwemmle M, Kochs G, Waller CF, Nieters A, Duerschmied D, Emmerich F, Mei HE, Schulz AR, Llewellyn-Lacey S, Price DA, Boettler T*, Bengsch B*, Thimme R*, Hofmann M*, Neumann-Haefelin C*. Characterization of pre-existing and induced SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells. Nat Med 2021;27(1):78-85
2. Schwabenland M, Salié H, Tanevski J, Killmer S, Lago MS, Schlaak AE, Mayer L, Matschke J, Püschel K, Fitzek A, Ondruschka B, Mei HE, Boettler T, Neumann-Haefelin C, Hofmann M, Breithaupt A, Genc N, Stadelmann C, Saez-Rodriguez J, Bronsert P, Knobeloch KP, Blank T, Thimme R, Glatzel M, Prinz M, Bengsch B. Deep spatial profiling of human COVID-19 brains reveals neuroinflammation with distinct microanatomical microglia-T-cell interactions. Immunity 2021 (in press, online available)
3. Urban S*, Neumann-Haefelin C*, Lampertico P. Hepatitis D virus in 2021: virology, immunology and new treatment approaches for a difficult-to-treat disease. Gut 2021 (in press, online available)
4. Bettinger D, Sturm L, Pfaff L, Hahn F, Kloeckner R, Volkwein L, Praktiknjo M, Lv Y, Han G, Huber JP, Boettler T, Reincke M, Klinger C, Caca K, Heinzow H, Seifert LL, Weiss KH, Rupp C, Piecha F, Kluwe J, Zipprich A, Luxenburger H, Neumann-Haefelin C, Schmidt A, Jansen C, Meyer C, Uschner FE, Brol MJ, Trebicka J, Rössle M, Thimme R, Schultheiss M. Refining prediction of survival after TIPS with the novel Freiburg index of post-TIPS survival. J Hepatol 2021;74(6):1362-1372
5. Hensel N, Gu Z, Sagar, Wieland D, Jechow K, Kemming J, Llewellyn-Lacey S, Gostick E, Sogukpinar O, Emmerich F, Price DA, Bengsch B, Boettler T, Neumann-Haefelin C, Eils R, Conrad C, Bartenschlager R, Grün D, Ishaque N, Thimme R, Hofmann M. Memory-like HCV-specific CD8⁺ T cells retain a molecular scar after cure of chronic HCV infection. Nat Immunol 2021;22(2):229-239.
6. Basho K, Zoldan K, Schultheiss M, Bettinger D, Globig AM, Bengsch B, Neumann-Haefelin C, Klocperk A, Warnatz K, Hofmann M, Thimme R, Boettler T. IL-2 contributes to cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction by impairing follicular T helper cells in advanced cirrhosis. J Hepatol 2021;74(3):649-660
7. Heim K, Binder B, Sagar, Wieland D, Hensel N, Llewellyn-Lacey S, Gostick E, Price DA, Emmerich F, Vingerhoet H, Kraft ARM, Cornberg M, Boettler T, Neumann-Haefelin C, Zehn D, Bengsch B, Hofmann M, Thimme R. TOX defines the degree of CD8+ T cell dysfunction in distinct phases of chronic HBV infection. Gut 2020 (in press, online available)
8. Smits M, Zoldan K, Ishaque N, Gu Z, Jechow K, Wieland D, Conrad C, Eils R, Fauvelle C, Baumert TF, Emmerich F, Bengsch B, Neumann-Haefelin C, Hofmann M, Thimme R, Boettler T. Follicular T helper cells shape the HCV-specific CD4+ T cell repertoire after virus elimination. J Clin Invest 2020;130(2):998-1009
9. Tauber C, Schultheiss M, Luca R, Buettner N, Llewellyn-Lacey S, Emmerich F, Zehe S, Price DA, Neumann-Haefelin C, Schmitt-Graeff A, Hofmann M, Thimme R. Inefficient induction of circulating TAA-specific CD8+ T-cell responses in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncotarget 2019;10(50):5194-5206
10. Jacobi FJ*, Wild K*, Smits M, Zoldan K, Csernalabics B, Flecken T, Lang J, Ehrenmann P, Emmerich F, Hofmann M, Thimme R, Neumann-Haefelin C, Boettler T. OX40 stimulation and PD-L1 blockade synergistically augment HBV-specific CD4 T cells in patients with HBeAg-negative infection. J Hepatol 2019 Jun;70(6):1103-1113
11. Kemming J*, Reeves E*, Nitschke K, Widmeier V, Emmerich F, Hermle T, Gostick E, Walker A, Timm J, Price DA, Hofmann M, Thimme R, James E*, Neumann-Haefelin C*. ERAP1 allotypes shape the epitope repertoire of virus-specific CD8+ T cell responses in acute hepatitis C virus infection. J Hepatol 2019;70(6):1072-1081
12. Karimzadeh H*, Kiraithe MM*, Oberhardt V*, Salimi Alizei E, Bockmann J, Schulze Zur Wiesch J, Budeus B, Hoffmann D, Wedemeyer H, Cornberg M, Krawczyk A, Rashidi-Alavijeh J, Rodríguez-Frías F, Casillas R, Buti M, Smedile A, Alavian SM, Heinold A, Emmerich F, Panning M, Gostick E, Price DA, Timm J, Hofmann M, Raziorrouh B, Thimme R, Protzer U, Roggendorf M*, Neumann-Haefelin C*. Mutations in Hepatitis D Virus Allow It to Escape Detection by CD8⁺ T Cells and Evolve at the Population Level. Gastroenterology 2019;156(6):1820-1833.
13. Schuch A, Salimi Alizei E, Heim K, Wieland D, Kiraithe MM, Kemming J, Llewellyn-Lacey S, Sogukpinar Ö, Ni Y, Urban S, Zimmermann P, Nassal M, Emmerich F, Price DA, Bengsch B, Luxenburger H, Neumann-Haefelin C, Hofmann M, Thimme R. Phenotypic and functional differences of HBV core-specific versus HBV polymerase-specific CD8+ T cells in chronically HBV-infected patients with low viral load. Gut 2019;68(5):905-915
14. Schuch A, Zecher BF, Müller PA, Correia MP, Daul F, Rennert C, Tauber C, Schlitt K, Boettler T, Neumann-Haefelin C, Hengel H, Pircher H, Cerwenka A, Thimme R, Hofmann M. NK-cell responses are biased towards CD16-mediated effector functions in chronic hepatitis B virus infection. J Hepatol. 2019 Mar;70(3):351-360