PhD Student (m/w/d) (Biologe/Biologin)

The German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Institute for Diabetes Research at the Heinrich Heine University (HHU) Düsseldorf is an interdisciplinary research institute that links basic and clinical sciences to improve prevention, diagnosis and therapy of Diabetes mellitus and its complications.

As part of a joint initiative organized by the Graduate School (integrated Research Training Group, iRTG) of the German Research Foundation (DFG)-funded Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1774 “Cardio-Diabetes Crosstalk (CARDDIAB),” we are seeking, starting October 1, 2026, several

doctoral researchers (65% TV-L E13)

This is a three-year fixed-term training position in accordance with the German Act on Fixed-Term Academic Contracts (WissZeitVG, pursuant to Section §2(1)).

About the CRC 1774

The CRC 1774 investigates how key metabolic “promoter organs”-adipose tissue, bone marrow, the gut, and the liver-communicate with the cardiovascular system and thereby influence the progression from health through prediabetes and type 2 diabetes to cardiovascular diseases. By combining comprehensively characterized patient cohorts with state-of-the-art multi-omics technologies, innovative imaging techniques, and methods from data science and artificial intelligence, the project aims to decipher the mechanisms underlying cardiometabolic diseases and develop new approaches for precision medicine at the interface of diabetology and cardiology.

Doctoral students work on interdisciplinary research projects spanning basic, translational, and clinical research. The focus is on organ-to-organ communication, metabolic regulation, inflammatory processes, cellular energy metabolism, and cardiovascular complications of diabetes within a highly collaborative and international research environment. You hold a master’s degree, a diploma, or an equivalent university degree with excellent academic performance in a relevant field, such as the life sciences, medicine, molecular biology, biochemistry, molecular medicine, biomedicine, epidemiology, or related disciplines.

Previous research experience and a strong interest in interdisciplinary biomedical research are advantageous. Excellent written and spoken English skills are required.

Doctoral Projects

Please indicate your preferred doctoral projects in your application. Information on all advertised projects, the participating project leaders, and the research and training program can be found on the CRC 1774 website.

We expect

Outstanding academic performance and a strong motivation for scientific work

Enthusiasm for the interdisciplinary research program of CRC 1774

Active participation in the structured training program and the scientific activities of the Integrated Graduate School

Willingness to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and academic exchange within the CRC 1774

Timely production of scholarly publications and the doctoral dissertation

Compliance with the DFG guidelines for ensuring good scientific practice and the principles of responsible research

Compensation is provided in accordance with the provisions of the TV-L (Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Public Sector in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia) in pay grade E13, with all prior service credited in accordance with the collective bargaining regulations.

25.025 weekly working hours

A dynamic, interdisciplinary, and international research environment at the intersection of metabolic, cardiovascular, and systems medicine, with excellent research infrastructure and comprehensively characterized clinical cohorts

Individual supervision and mentoring by internationally renowned scientists from basic research, translational research, and clinical practice

A structured doctoral program featuring lectures, workshops, methodology courses, opportunities to acquire cross-disciplinary skills, and interdisciplinary and international exchange opportunities

Access to state-of-the-art technologies, including multi-omics, hi...