Master Thesis: Immunological crosstalk at the human maternal-fetal interface

What we do

This project will be conducted in the research group of Jürgen Pollheimer (X: @PollheimerLab; Pubmed search: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=pollheimer-j&sort=date; https://www.meduniwien.ac.at/web/en/research/researcher-profiles/researcher-profiles/index.php?id=688&res=juergen_pollheimer) the Maternal-Fetal Immunology Group (MFIG) being part of a larger research unit called the Reproductive Biology Unit, coordinated by Jürgen Pollheimer, Sandra Haider, and Martin Knöfler (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna). Our main goal in this project is to study processes by which the placenta alters maternal immune cell populations in the pregnant endometrium during early pregnancy. Using state-of-the art technology, we are particularly focused on developing novel in vitro model systems that allow us to study interactions between fetal (trophoblast) and maternal immune cells. Expanding upon our previous scRNA-seq analyses, we plan to perform multiplexed spatial imaging (MIBI-TOF, MACSima), spatial transcriptomics and in addition aim at developing co-culture systems that combine placental organoids with maternal immune cells.

What we offer

- Freedom in research and an encouraging environment to development own ideas and projects

- Intensive personal supervision by the group leader

- Profound experience in the field of reproductive biology and immunology

- Internationally well excepted scientific environment

- International collaborations for scRNA-seq (Thomas Conrad, Head of Single-Cell Technologies, Charité Berlin) and spatial proteomics (Mike Angelo, Department of Pathology, Stanford University).

Feel free to contact our lab alumni or current PhD students: Anna-Lena Höbler (annalena.hoebler(at)gmail.com), Andreas Lackner (alackner(at)stanford.edu), Philipp Velicky (philipp.velicky(at)meduniwien.ac.at), Karin Windsperger (karin.windsperger(at)meduniwien.ac.at), Valerie Fock (valeriefock(at)gmx.at); current PhD students at the Reproductive Biology Unit: Barbara Öhler (barbara.oehler(at)meduniwien.ac.at; supervised by Jürgen Pollheimer), Jasmin Wächter (jasmin.waechter(at)meduniwien.ac.at), Theresa (theresa.maxian(at)meduniwien.ac.at), Anna-Maria Prandstetter (anna.prandstetter(at)meduniwien.ac.at).

Your profile

- Ongoing master’s studies in natural science or related field (e.g. human or veterinary medicine

- Interest in (Reproductive) Immunology

- Wet lab experience in molecular biology techniques

- Strong communication skills and willingness to engage in collaborations and teamwork.

- Open to rethink and challenge established theories, including those originating from our own studies

Starting date: First quarter of 2026 (exact date negotiable); Salary according to FWF and Medical University of Vienna guidelines