PhD position in Peripheral Neuroscience and Neuroimmunology

Your position

How do peripheral neurons sense disease, and how do they influence its course?
Our laboratory studies the reciprocal interactions between nerves, immune cells and tumours. We seek to understand how signals arising in diseased tissues alter peripheral neuronal states and activity, and how neuronal responses shape inflammation, antitumour immunity and tumour progression.

Your project
You will investigate how peripheral neurons detect and respond to changes in the tissue environment, with a particular focus on sensory neurons and neuroimmune communication. Key questions include how tumour development remodels peripheral innervation, which neuronal populations respond to inflammatory signals, and how these responses influence local immune function.
Depending on the project direction, you will combine approaches including:

• Anatomical tracing and imaging of peripheral nerves and ganglia.
• Viral and genetic approaches to identify and manipulate defined neuronal populations.
• Functional interrogation of neuronal signalling and neuroimmune interactions.
• Single-cell and spatial profiling to resolve neuronal states and their tissue context.
• In vivo models, complemented by cellular assays and immune profiling.

The project will be developed around your interests and strengths within the laboratory's broader research programme.

Your profile

We are looking for a curious, motivated student with a strong interest in peripheral neuroscience and a desire to explore questions at the interface of neuroscience, immunology and cancer biology.
You should have:

• A Master's degree, or equivalent, in neuroscience, neurobiology, physiology, biomedical sciences or a related discipline by the start date.
• Practical research experience and a solid foundation in experimental biology.
• An interest in sensory biology, autonomic regulation, interoception or neuroimmune communication.
• A thoughtful, rigorous approach to experiments and a willingness to learn new methods.
• Good communication skills in English and enthusiasm for collaborative research.

Experience with neuronal cultures, microscopy, calcium imaging, electrophysiology, anatomical tracing or mouse models would be an advantage, but is not essential. Previous experience in immunology or cancer biology is not required.

We offer you

You will join an international, interdisciplinary laboratory at the Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel. We offer close scientific mentorship, training across neuroscience and immunology, access to advanced research infrastructure, and the opportunity to develop an independent project in the emerging field of cancer neuroscience.