PhD Assistant in CAR-T Engineering & Immuno-Oncology (12908-RE-200-2025)

Research

PhD Assistant in CAR-T Engineering & Immuno-Oncology

The Department of Immunology and Allergy is recruiting a PhD assistant in CAR-T Engineering & Immuno-Oncology between 80% and 100% for a fixed-term contract from 01.02.2026 to 31.01.2027.

The Department of Immunology and Allergy is recruiting a Doctoral Assistant in CAR-T Engineering & Immuno-Oncology, at a workload between 80% and 100%, for a fixed-term contract from February 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027.

Context

The Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) is one of the 5 Swiss university hospitals. Thanks to its collaboration with the Faculty of Biology and Medicine of the University of Lausanne and EPFL, CHUV plays a leading role in medical care, medical research, and training.

The Department of Immunology and Allergy wishes to recruit a highly qualified PhD student to join a leading translational research program in immuno-oncology, at the interface between next-generation CAR-T engineering, immune toxicity, and precision biomarkers.

Our team is internationally recognized for the detailed characterization of immune responses to immunotherapies and the development of new therapeutic strategies in immuno-oncology. The successful candidate will be at the heart of the design, production, and functional characterization of next-generation CAR-T cells targeting hematologic and solid tumors.

The Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) is one of five Swiss university hospitals. Through its collaboration with the Faculty of Biology and Medicine of the University of Lausanne and the EPFL, CHUV plays a leading role in the areas of medical care, medical research and training.

We are recruiting an outstanding PhD candidate to join a leading translational immuno-oncology program at the intersection of next-generation CAR-T engineering, immune toxicities, and precision biomarkers.

Our group is internationally recognized for high-resolution immune profiling of immunotherapies and for shaping novel therapeutic strategies in immune-oncology. The successful candidate will play a central role in the design, production, and functional characterization of next-generation CAR-T cells targeting both hematologic and solid tumors

Mission

• Design and generate innovative CAR-T constructs (logical CARs, "armored" CAR-T, CAR-T with safety switches, cytokine-secreting CAR-T, etc.)
• Perform the entire CAR-T workflow: isolation of T lymphocytes, activation, viral transduction, expansion, in vitro functional tests
• Analyze CAR-T behavior by deep immunophenotyping, multiplex cytokine platforms, and advanced functional assays
• Contribute to high-impact publications, presentations at major international conferences, and collaborative projects with our clinical and translational partners.
• Design and generate innovative CAR-T constructs (e.g. armored CAR-T, logic-gated CARs, safety-switch–integrated CAR-T, cytokine-secreting CAR-T)
• Perform full CAR-T workflows : T cell isolation, activation, viral transduction, expansion, in vitro functional assays
• Dissect CAR-T behavior using deep immunophenotyping, cytokine multiplex platforms, and advanced functional readouts
• Integrate your work into high-impact publications, presentations at major international conferences, and collaborative projects with clinical and translational partners.

Profile

• You hold a Master’s degree in biology or an equivalent qualification
• You are a highly motivated, scientifically ambitious candidate with a strong sense of responsibility
• You can demonstrate solid practical experience in cell culture; prior experience in CAR-T or other modified T lymphocytes is a major asset (and will be a distinguishing criterion)
• You have excellent foundations in immunology, cell therapy, molecular biology, or bioengineering.
• You have skills in flow cytometry, single-cell, or multiplex cytokine profiling
• You possess excellent communication skills in English, with the ability to work independently as well as within a collaborative team.
• You are holding a Master degree in Biology or an equivalent diploma
• You are a highly motivated, intellectually ambitious candidate with a strong sense of ownership
• You have proven hands-on experience in cell culture; prior experience in CAR-T or other engineered T cell platforms is a strong asset (and will be considered a differentiating criterion)
• You can prove of a solid background in immunology, cellular therapy, molecular biology, or bioengineering
• You ahve experience with flow cytometry, single-cell approaches, or multiplex cytokine profiling is highly desirable
• You possess excellent communication skills in English; capacity to work both independently and as part of collaborative team.

We offer

The Department of Immunology and Allergy offers:

• A world-class scientific environment in precision immuno-oncology and cellular therapies
• Access to cutting-edge platforms in CAR-T engineering, high-parameter cytometry, single-cell analysis, and multiplex cytokine profiling
• Close collaboration with clinicians, bioinformaticians, and translational researchers
• A funded PhD position (3-4 years), starting February 1, 2026, with clear expectations in terms of scientific impact and career development

We offer :

• A world-class environment in precision immuno-oncology and cellular therapies.
• Access to cutting-edge platforms for CAR-T engineering, high-parameter cytometry, single-cell analysis, and multiplex cytokine profiling.
• Close interaction with clinicians, bioinformaticians, and translational researchers.
• A fully funded PhD position (3–4 years), starting February 1st, 2026, with clear expectations for high scientific impact and career development

Becoming a collaborator at the Lausanne University Hospital means benefiting from:

• Top-tier social benefits, 20 days paternity leave, and 4 months maternity leave (with the possibility of an additional month of breastfeeding leave)
• Regular salary progression adapted to responsibilities
• A 13th month salary and 25 days of vacation per year
• A right to at least three days of training per year, with access to a varied offer within the CHUV Training Center and partner training centers of the State of Vaud
• Facilitated access to one of the 500 furnished apartments offered in the surrounding neighborhoods for people relocating to Switzerland from abroad
• Social, cultural, and economic benefits offered to members of the H-Oxygène association
• Benefits offered within the mobility plan (discounts on public transport subscriptions, promotion of "Mobility" vehicles, and discounts on the purchase of electric bikes)
• Quality corporate restaurants in each hospital building with preferential rates.

Contact and application submission

Contact for information about the position: Prof Michel OBEID, phone: 079 556 41 95

Since all our applications are processed electronically, please apply exclusively online by clicking the APPLY button at the bottom of the announcement.

Please submit your complete application file in a single PDF file (CV, with list of publications if available, a cover letter describing why you would be the ideal candidate and your scientific ambitions, as well as two references.)

If you have difficulty applying, you can consult our procedure on how to apply online. If for technical reasons you cannot apply online, please contact the HR Department who will assist you in your process, either by email at e.recrutement@chuv.ch or by phone at 021 314 85 70

CHUV applies the highest quality standards in its recruitment processes. Furthermore, committed to promoting diversity among our collaborators, we pay attention to different life paths and do everything possible to ensure equal treatment and avoid any discrimination. We look forward to receiving your application.

We thank placement agencies in advance to note that applications submitted directly by them on our recruitment platform are not accepted and cannot be invoiced. Thank you for your understanding.