Postdoctoral Position in Peripheral Neuroscience and Neuro-Immune Interactions

As a joint venture of the University of Basel and the University Hospitals Basel, the Department of Biomedicine (DBM) brings together basic and clinical scientists to advance the understanding of health and disease.
We are home to more than 67 research groups and over 800 employees across six locations in the heart of Basel. Our collaborative and international environment fosters innovation, excellence, and impactful research.
The Cancer Neuroimmonology, led by Prof. Karen Dixon, is looking for a fully funded postdoctoral position.
 
Join our community and help shape the future of biomedicine.
Our lab investigates how the nervous system shapes tissue immunity, inflammation, and cancer. Peripheral neurons are increasingly recognized as active regulators of immune responses, tissue homeostasis, and disease progression. However, the mechanisms by which peripheral neural circuits detect changes in tissue state and instruct immune cell function remain poorly understood.
The successful candidate will lead an interdisciplinary project at the interface of peripheral neuroscience, immunology, and cancer. The project will investigate how peripheral neural signals regulate immune cell function within tissues and how neuro-immune communication contributes to inflammatory or tumour-associated disease states. Approaches include neuronal tracing, in vivo disease models, genetic and viral manipulation of neuronal populations, imaging, flow cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and functional neuro-immune assays.
We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong interest in peripheral neuroscience, neuro-immune communication, and tissue biology. The position would be particularly well suited to candidates with expertise in peripheral neural circuits, neuronal tracing, viral or genetic manipulation of neurons, in vivo models, imaging, or computational analysis of single-cell or spatial datasets. Candidates from neuroscience and neuro-immunology are encouraged to apply.
The postdoctoral researcher will join a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment in Basel, with access to excellent core facilities and expertise in immunology, neuroscience, cancer biology, single-cell genomics, and advanced imaging. The project will be embedded in a dynamic research programme aiming to uncover how peripheral neurons shape immune responses and to identify new therapeutic opportunities by targeting neuro-immune circuits.

• A PhD in neuroscience, neuroimmunology or a related discipline
• A strong interest in peripheral neuroscience, neuro-immune communication, and disease biology
• Experience with in vivo models and/or complex experimental systems
• A track record of scientific productivity appropriate to career stage
• The ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research

Experience with neuronal tracing, viral approaches, mouse genetics, tissue imaging, flow cytometry, single-cell transcriptomics, spatial technologies, or computational analysis would be particularly advantageous.

• A fully funded postdoctoral position in an internationally connected research environment
• The opportunity to lead an ambitious interdisciplinary project in peripheral neuroscience and neuro-immunology
• Access to cutting-edge technologies in neuronal tracing, in vivo models, imaging, flow cytometry, single-cell genomics, and spatial transcriptomics
• Close mentorship with support for developing scientific independence, fellowship applications, and future career progression
• Opportunities to collaborate across the Basel neuroscience, immunology, and cancer research communities
• A supportive, ambitious, and interdisciplinary lab environment

Application

Interested candidates should send a single PDF containing:
1. A cover letter describing their research interests, relevant expertise, and motivation for applying
2. CV, including publications
3. Contact details for two to three references
4. A brief statement of future research interests