Research Explorer Ruhr: Hosts and Application

Data Analytics in Sport Sciences
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Research Area: 
Our research focuses on exploring the connection between movement behaviors (activity, sedentary, and sleep behaviors) measured by wearables and health outcomes. Currently, we are extensively investigating the potential of wearable health technologies to develop diagnostic, prognostic, and risk assessment models for chronic diseases through artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques. Additionally, our research group is interested in AI applications related to health behaviors, including generative AI in movement and sports, recommender systems for health behaviors, digital biomarker discovery, and digital phenotyping.

Candidate Profile:
We are seeking a forward-thinking candidate who is eager to develop innovative research projects. The candidate should be interested in multidisciplinary research and working with people with diverse academic background ranging from data science, statistics, health sciences, and sport science. The ideal candidate should possess expertise in ML modeling, AI, and data science. Prior experience applying AI/ML techniques to health behavior data, sports data, or wearable data will be considered an advantage.

Biology and Biotechnology
Global Change Ecology
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Research Area:
My research explores how large-scale environmental changes threaten freshwater ecosystems by disrupting ecological interactions and adaptive traits among aquatic organisms. We demonstrate that changes in environmental conditions can impair the ability of keystone species like Daphnia to perceive predators and express adaptive, inducible defenses, with consequences for aquatic food webs and ecosystem stability. My group combines long-term ecosystem analyses with experimental approaches to show that altered abiotic factors affect chemical communication, phenotypic plasticity, and community dynamics in continental waters. Our work integrates molecular, neurobiological, and ecological methods to understand how shifting global conditions may reshape biodiversity and resilience in freshwater habitats.

Candidate Profile:
A candidate aiming to join our research team should demonstrate strong skills in experimental biology, molecular techniques, and data analysis relevant to aquatic ecology. Essential competencies include designing and conducting ecological or physiological experiments, handling aquatic organisms, and managing both field and laboratory work. Proficiency with genetic and biochemical methods—such as molecular cloning, RNA extraction, sequencing, microscopy, and possibly CRISPR - will be highly valued. Familiarity with statistical analysis, scientific programming (R or Python), and the ability to interpret complex datasets are important for evaluating results. Effective scientific communication in English and collaborative skills are necessary for working in an interdisciplinary, international team. Enthusiasm for investigating ecological adaptation, global change biology, and chemical ecology will strongly align with the group’s research focus.

Center of Medical Biotechnology (ZMB)
Molecular Biology II/Functional Biochemistry
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Research Area:
Our group investigates molecular signaling circuits that enable cancer cells to maintain genome integrity, resist apoptosis, and adapt to intracellular stress. We focus on Survivin and Taspase1 as nodal regulators of cell-cycle surveillance, DNA repair, proteolytic maturation events, and nucleocytoplasmic transport. Combining live-cell imaging, nanobody engineering, targeted protein degradation (PROTACs, bioPROTACs, as well as lysosomal or mitochondrial degradation platforms), and multi-omics network mapping, we develop precision strategies to selectively modulate onco-determinants in their native subcellular context. Using supramolecular ligands, nanobody-guided imaging probes, and E3-recruitment systems, we dissect how different intracellular pools of Survivin and Taspase1-dependent signaling shape stress tolerance, cell fate, and therapy resistance. This integrated chemical–biological approach aims to translate mechanistic signaling insights into degradative and protease-targeting strategies for difficult-to-treat solid and liquid tumors.

Candidate Profile:
We welcome highly motivated postdoctoral researchers with a strong interest in molecular cancer biology, targeted protein degradation, or intracellular antibody technologies. Applicants should have expertise in at least one of the following: ubiquitin biology, nanobody development, protein engineering, chemical biology, live-cell imaging, or mitochondrial signaling. Prior experience with proteostasis, E3 ligases, or CRISPR/Cas genome editing, apoptotic signaling, or tumor stress responses is advantageous but not mandatory. Curiosity-driven thinking, willingness to integrate wet-lab and quantitative approaches, and enthusiasm for conceptual innovation are essential. The ideal candidate enjoys collaborative work across molecular cell biology, biochemistry, and rational/modular chemical design, and is motivated to co-develop new degradation tools such as nanobody systems including our SuN and TaN nanobodies to interrogate intracellular protein function, reveal the underlying  molecular mechanisms and finally contribute to therapy sensitization of cancer cells.

Educational Psychology
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Research Area:
My research interest are ground in the interplay of educational, clinical, and developmental psychology. Recently, I have developed strong research interests in implementing school-based preventition training in schools. The training MindOut aims at improving students' social and emotional competencies and thus their subjective well-being. Moreover, we just finished a large project on the development of subjective well-being in adolescents to investigate the determinants of different developmental trajectories. Beside subjective well-being, I am interested in the following research topics:

• Determining academic achievement considering motivation, personality, social status and gender
• (Educational) Diagnostik
• Motivation development
• Cognitive giftedness

Candidate Profile:
I am looking for a candidate that have a background in psychology and are experienced in quantitative-empirical research and have already done analyses with R, MPlus or STATA. Furthermore, I would appreciate an interest in topics related to subjective well-being interventions or development of subjective well-being. Ideally, the candidate hast some background in interventions for children or adolescents and Educational Counselling.

Institute for Transfusion Medicine
Translational Extracellular Vesicle research
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Research Area:
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), also known as exosomes or microvesicles, mediate intercellular signaling under physiological and pathological conditions and can offer therapeutic benefits depending on their origin. In this context, the group led by Prof. Dr. Bernd Giebel at the Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, focuses on unraveling the therapeutic potential of EVs derived from mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs). Having demonstrated promising therapeutic effects in various models, including the successful treatment of a graft-versus-host disease patient, the group now is optimizing and standardizing MSC-EV production to meet clinical-grade requirements.
To enhance manufacturing and quality control strategies for EV products, the group is dedicated to developing innovative methods for EV preparation and characterization. Notably, they introduced nanoparticle tracking analysis to the field in 2011, and imaging flow cytometry in 2019. Leveraging the high potential of imaging flow cytometry for EV characterization, the group is also expanding its focus on diagnostic applications (link to Tobias' sub-page).
To advance the EV field, BG served as the founding president of the German Society of Extracellular Vesicles (2017–2023) and currently leads the Exosome Committee of the International Society of Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT). He is also an active member of the International Society of Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) and one of the three co-initiators of the Mobility for Vesicles in Europe (MOVE) initiative, a federation of European national EV societies. In collaboration with other experts in the therapeutic EV field, he has coordinated and co-authored several influential white papers on translational EV research and contributed to broader white papers in the EV field.

Candidate Profile:
We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to strengthen and complement the activities of our group. The successful candidate will have one of the following core profiles:

• Extensive experience in GMP-compliant upstream and/or downstream processing for extracellular vesicle (EV) production, including process development and optimization; or
• Strong expertise in immunobiology, with hands-on experience in functional immune assays and multicolor flow cytometry.
• The candidate is expected to be an enthusiastic team player who enjoys working in an international, gender-balanced research environment, and who brings excellent communication and scientific writing skills. A strong interest in working with modern, computer-controlled instrumentation is essential, including bioreactors, FPLC systems, and various flow cytometry platforms (imaging flow cytometry, cell sorting, and conventional flow cytometry). Experience in animal handling and in vivo experimentation is desirable and will be considered an advantage.

Institute for the Research on HIV and AIDS-associated Diseases
Karsten lab
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Research Area:
My group studies virus-host interactions with a focus on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other highly glycosylated pathogens. We investigate how viral glycan shields and antibody effector functions shape viral spread, immune recognition, and vaccine responses. Our research integrates molecular virology, glycan analysis, flow virometry, and systems immunology to understand antiviral immunity beyond classical neutralization. A major part of our work involves developing new technologies and analytical platforms, including lectin-based tools and high-throughput ELISA and flow cytometry approaches. We combine mechanistic studies with translational research to support the development of antibody-based biomedical interventions and inform rational vaccine design.

Candidate Profile:
I am seeking a motivated early-career researcher in virology, immunology, molecular biology, or a related field who is interested in virus–host interactions and immune responses, with a particular focus on antibody-based biomedical interventions against highly glycosylated viruses such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The work includes handling infectious material up to biosafety level 3, so candidates should be comfortable with high-containment procedures or willing to train for them. Experience in cell culture, molecular methods, flow cytometry, or immunological assays is helpful but not essential; motivation and openness to learning new techniques are more important. The ideal candidate enjoys interdisciplinary thinking, works well in an international team, and is interested in co-developing a project that aligns their expertise with our research on developing novel antibody-based interventions.

Department of Neurostimulation & Computational Neurology Group
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Research Area:
We address clinically relevant questions in neuropsychiatry using computational methods (i.e. new algorithms and models, as well as artificial intelligence and machine learning).
We analyze clinical and neuroimaging data using data-driven modeling (e.g. machine learning) and theory-based modeling (e.g. mathematical models such as whole-brain network models). The integration of both types of models contributes to a better and more robust understanding of the pathophysiological processes underlying neuropsychiatric disorders.
By pilot clinical trials, the resulting insights can be translated to the clinic and thus advance diagnosis and treatment (especially neurostimulation).

Candidate Profile:
I am looking for researchers with a computational background with strong interest in clinical applications, thus showing a track record of interdisciplinary and computational neuroscience expertise.

Institute for Urban Public Health
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Research Area:
We investigate how urban risks and resources shape human health and resilience. Cities are complex, dynamic systems, and understanding them requires innovative perspectives and tailored methodological approaches. We work with (small-scale) spatial analyses, innovative data sources, and analytical tools such as geographic information systems (GIS), spatial statistics. Depending on the research question, we also apply qualitative approaches to capture contextual, experiential, or place-based dimensions.
We focus on research areas that remain underexplored: the links between health and climate change with an emphasis on co-benefits and political decision making; the physical and acoustic properties of urban soundscapes beyond conventional noise indicators; and the use of wastewater as an innovative data source for epidemiology and for health-related neighborhood assessments.

Candidate Profile:
Candidates who thrive in our group are curious about urban public health and the complex ways in which cities shape human well-being and resilience. You should bring a solid academic foundation in a relevant field and an interest in connecting urban environments with population health - regardless of whether your route into this topic is public health, social sciences, environmental studies, political science, geography, or another related discipline.
Experience with spatial or quantitative analyses - such as GIS, spatial statistics, or working with innovative data sources and complex, multi-layered datasets - is helpful but not mandatory for all projects. Depending on your expertise, qualitative skills - such as conducting interviews, analyzing narratives, or exploring lived urban experiences - are equally welcome. We value curiosity, methodological openness, and the ability to integrate different types of evidence.
Those who think critically, enjoy interdisciplinary collaboration, and can develop independent conceptual ideas - especially on emerging topics such as climate–health co-benefits, urban soundscapes, or wastewater-based epidemiology - tend to thrive particularly well in our team.

Social Neuroscience
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Research Area:
Our department’s research addresses, among other topics, the following questions:

1. How does the brain create and sustain the experience of loneliness, and why can it become chronic for some individuals?
2. Are neural mechanisms of conformity to humans and AI distinct and domain-specific (e.g. for memory or subjective ratings)?
3. In what ways might synthetic relationships (i.e. with AI companions) support or undermine human social needs, and what do they reveal about the “social brain”?
4. How can we reintroduce the restorative power of social touch for people who, due to trauma, find touch difficult or aversive?
5. What are the neurobiological commonalities and differences between human touch and robotic touch?

We use behavioral experiments, psychophysiological and hormonal measurements, and neuroimaging methods including fMRI, fNIRS, and EEG, as well as noninvasive brain stimulation techniques such as tDCS. Our research is conducted exclusively in human studies, primarily with healthy participants, although patient studies are possible through collaborations. We are also committed to open science and the use of meta-scientific approaches.

Candidate Profile:
We are looking for a curious and motivated candidate who is excited about pursuing a scientific career and interested in our research on social and cognitive neuroscience. You should have an interest in our topics and methods, which combine behavioral, psychophysiological, hormonal, and neuroimaging approaches (e.g., fMRI, fNIRS, EEG, tDCS). Basic programming skills in R, MATLAB, or Python are required, but you do not need to be an expert - an openness to learn and develop these skills is most important. Some experience with at least one of our methods would be a plus. We value curiosity, analytical thinking, teamwork, and commitment to open and reproducible science.

Department of Neurology
Working group Dagmar Timmann
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Research Area:
Our group is interested in the function of the cerebellum in humans. We perform behavioral and imaging studies in healthy participants and patients with ataxias using 3T and 7T fMRI.

Candidate Profile:
Background in psychology or neuroscience; experience with fMRI and/or EEG analyses; experience with studies in humans.