Research internship / master’s thesis opportunity

The Kapellos lab in the Institute of Lung Health and Immunity (LHI) at Helmholtz Center Munich is looking for a motivated master’s student for an internship with the option of a following Master’s thesis.

Background

Obstructive airway diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis and asthma, represent persistent global health challenges characterized by chronic inflammation, progressive tissue remodeling and immune dysregulation. These conditions are driven by diverse environmental triggers and alter the respiratory immune landscape through sustained cellular activation and structural changes. Research into how immune cells orchestrate, modulate, and at times, disturb airway homeostasis is essential for uncovering new therapeutic strategies. Our laboratory investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms dictating immune regulation in human airways, utilizing patient-derived samples to unravel the interactions between distinct immune cell populations and the lung microenvironment across health and disease.

Project Description

This Master’s thesis project will explore immune cell phenotypes and functions in obstructive airway diseases using clinical samples from patients and control donors. Through integration of cellular and functional data, this project aims to identify immune signatures and regulatory checkpoints relevant to disease pathogenesis.

Key objectives will include

• Processing human peripheral blood, bronchoalveolar lavage and/or fresh lung tissue specimens to isolate immune cell populations.
• Performing and analyzing multi-color flow cytometry to profile immune cell subsets.
• Applying precision-cut lung slice (PCLS) models to test the effects of biologic treatments ex vivo.
• Techniques You Will Learn
• Clinical sample processing for human immune and lung cells
• Handling and culturing primary human cells
• Design, execution, and analysis of multi-color flow cytometry experiments
• Preparation, maintenance and treatment of precision-cut lung slices
• Application and evaluation of biologic therapeutics in ex vivo models
• Data analysis, statistics, and presentation

Requirements

• Currently enrolled as a Master student in immunology, biomedical sciences or related field
• Fluent in English (spoken and written)
• Enthusiasm to work in an interdisciplinary group consisting of basic scientists, clinicians and bioinformaticians
• Highly organized, good time management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proactive and forward-thinking approach
• Dedication and full commitment to the research objectives

Will be considered a plus

• Prior experience in cell culture and flow cytometry is advantageous
• Previous experience in programming (R/Python)

Start Date: January 2026

For more information: Dr. Theodore Kapellos theodoros.kapellos@med.uni-muenchen.de.

Please send your CV, most up-to-date transcripts, and a one-page motivation letter to the above e-mail by 21. September 2025.