The Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology seeks a highly motivated PhD student. The position is a part of a structured doctoral program at UKE. It will be filled starting October 1, 2026 (or by arrangement), at 65 % of standard weekly working hours, fixed-term for 3 years under the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG). An extension of the position is possible.
The research in the institute centers on cell-cell interactions and their role in regulating fundamental functions at cell, tissue and organ level. A disruption of cell-cell adhesion homeostasis causes life-threatening diseases, which we aim to understand on the molecular level to define tailored treatment options.
Project overview:
The role of cell-cell adhesion in modulating melanoma pathogenesis (PI: Maitreyi Rathod)
This research aims to understand how loss of cell-cell interactions in the skin drives melanoma development and progression, using epidermal organoid models, mouse models and patient-derived data. This work is expected to uncover previously unknown mechanisms of cell-cell adhesion-mediated keratinocyte-melanocyte crosstalk, identify molecular signatures predisposing to melanoma, and reveal new therapeutic targets within the adhesion-mediated signaling network. The project builds on recently published work from the group (Rathod et al., 2024, Journal of Cell Biology, Rathod et al., 2025, JCI insight, Franz et al., 2024, Nature Communications).
Your responsibilities:
- Analysis of the interplay of cell-cell adhesion on melanoma development and progression
- Application of various skin and melanoma model systems (mouse models, reconstituted co-culture 3D skin equivalents, epidermal organoids)
- Use of state-of-the-art imaging techniques (confocal and super-resolution microscopy) together with CRISPR-based gene editing and scRNA-seq
