Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d) Engineering the Next Generation of In Vivo CAR-T Cell Therapies with CRISPR 2.0

Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d)

Engineering the Next Generation of In Vivo CAR-T Cell Therapies with CRISPR 2.0

• University Hospital Würzburg

• 01.01.2027

• Full-time

• Fixed-Term

Application deadline: 31/10/2026

Join a newly funded ERC research program at the forefront of genome engineering, lipid nanoparticle delivery, synthetic immunology, and next-generation cell therapy.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to take a leading role in the development of innovative strategies for generating therapeutic CAR-T cells directly in vivo. The project aims to combine next-generation CRISPR technologies with advanced delivery systems, including lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), to enable the precise engineering of immune cells inside the human body.

The successful candidate will contribute to shaping a highly ambitious research program with significant translational potential while developing an independent scientific profile within a dynamic and collaborative research environment.

We offer

• Scientific leadership in a newly funded ERC project Take a central role in establishing new technologies and shaping the scientific direction of an ambitious research program from an early stage. • Cutting-edge interdisciplinary research Work at the interface of CRISPR 2.0 technologies, lipid nanoparticle delivery, immune-cell engineering, and translational cell therapy. • Scientific independence and creative freedom Develop and pursue your own scientific ideas within a framework designed to support high-risk, high-gain research. • Access to state-of-the-art technologies Utilize advanced genome-engineering tools, delivery platforms, molecular and cellular biology methods, and immunological assays. • International visibility and networking opportunities Present your work at international conferences, establish collaborations, and contribute to the development of internationally competitive technologies. • Mentoring and career development Supervise junior researchers, strengthen your leadership skills, and build a strong foundation for future careers in academia, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical R&D.

Key Research Areas

• CRISPR 2.0 and next-generation genome engineering • Lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based delivery systems • In vivo genome editing and cell engineering • CAR-T cell and immune-cell engineering • Synthetic immunology • Molecular and cellular biology • Translational cancer immunotherapy • Non-viral and targeted delivery technologies

Your Tasks

• Develop and optimize next-generation CRISPR genome-engineering approaches for immune-cell engineering • Design and evaluate innovative strategies for the generation of CAR-T cells directly in vivo • Develop and characterize viral and non-viral delivery platforms, including lipid nanoparticle-based systems • Establish new experimental technologies and workflows within the laboratory • Assess genome-editing efficiency, specificity, safety, and functional outcomes • Perform molecular, cellular, and immunological characterization of engineered immune cells • Contribute to project design, scientific strategy, and technology development • Supervise PhD students and junior researchers • Establish interdisciplinary collaborations and contribute to scientific publications, grant applications, and conference presentations

The project

CAR-T cell therapy has transformed the treatment of selected hematological malignancies, but current approaches depend on complex, costly, and time-consuming ex vivo manufacturing.

Our ERC project aims to explore a fundamentally different paradigm: direct engineering of therapeutic immune cells in vivo.

To achieve this, we will combine next-generation genome-editing technologies with innovative concepts in immune-cell engineering and targeted delivery, with a particular interest in lipid nanoparticle-based approaches. A major focus will be on CRISPR 2.0 technologies that expand the possibilities of genome engineering beyond conventional DNA double-strand-break-based editing.

The successful candidate will play a central role in developing and translating these concepts into new strategies for the precise generation of CAR-T cells in vivo, including the development and evaluation of delivery strategies for genome-editing components.

Your Profile

We are looking for a creative, highly motivated scientist who enjoys developing new technologies and tackling ambitious biological questions.

Applicants should have:

• A PhD in molecular biology, biomedicine, biotechnology, biochemistry, immunology, pharmaceutical sciences, nanomedicine, or a related discipline • A strong background in molecular and cellular biology, genome engineering, drug delivery, or nanomedicine • Experience in genome engineering, CAR-T cells or lipid nanoparticles • A strong interest in developing and applying next-generation CRISPR and delivery technologies • The ability to independently design, conduct, analyze, and troubleshoot experiments • A collaborative mindset and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research • Excellent communication skills in English

Experience with lipid nanoparticle formulation and characterization, targeted LNP delivery, primary human T cells, CRISPR-based genome editing, CAR-T cells, flow cytometry, or other viral or non-viral delivery technologies would be particularly valuable.

Importantly, we do not expect candidates to already be experts in all aspects of the project. Previous experience with lipid nanoparticles is a strong plus, but not a prerequisite. We are looking for scientists with a strong experimental foundation, intellectual curiosity, and the ambition to expand into new technological areas.

This is what you can look forward to

• Challenging, diverse and evolving area of responsibility

• Attractive salary according to TV-L incl. annual special payment

• Training and Continuing Education

• Retirement Pension Plan

• Company daycare center with extended opening hours

• Company sports program

• Flexible Working Hours

• JobBike

• Corporate Benefits

Become part of the team: Apply now!

Dr. Karl Petri

Emmy Noether Gruppenleiter

Tel: +49931 201 44817

In the case of a university degree from a non-EU country, a long version of the certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education is required.

Remuneration is in accordance with the relevant collective agreements. Severely disabled applicants will be given preference if they are otherwise equally qualified.

Ausschreibungsreferenz: 2026-0484