Apply now for a PhD position at our department

Two new PhD positions open at our departmen

The department of histology and embryology is one of the leading biomedical research labs in Croatia, especially in the fields of immunology and metabolic disease. With publications in Science, Nature Immunology and Nature Metabolism, we continue to produce world-class science. Our enthusiastic team of young and motivated researchers, facilitated with state-of-the-art equipment for in vitro and in vivo research, ensures the best academic climate for science. Now you can be a part of this team, as two PhD positions have opened, with Prof. Bojan Polić and Marko Šestan as supervisors.These positions are for 6 years and provide an excellent basis for a career in academia. 

Read below what these research projects entail and how to apply.

Position in the group of Prof. Bojan Polić

Metabolic disease is the biggest pandemic of modern times. Conditions such as dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes and hypertension have a major negative impact on your health. A major underappreciated disease is Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD for short. This condition affects over 40% of adults and is associated with accumulation of fat in the liver that drives a chronic inflammation referred to as MASH. Previously, we have shown the underlying molecular mechanisms how this inflammation is initiated (Marinović, Science Immunology 2023). In this project, we will investigate how this impacts the ability to deal with infection

In this project, you will use in vivo mouse models for metabolic disease and viral infection. Using advanced genetically modified animals we will identify the cells and immunological hormones involved in immune dysfuntion in MAFLD. Genetically modified viruses allows us to further elucidate how immune cells interact with infected tissues. In vitro models and molecular biological tools will be used to further identify molecular interactions.

If you are interested in working in a team of motivated and highly skilled researchers at the pinnacle of immunological research, apply for this job here.

Position in the group of Doc. Marko Šestan

Open PhD Position ERC Starting Grant Project on Conditioning the Immune System

Are you fascinated by the dialogue between the brain and the immune system? Do you want to explore how behavioral conditioning can shape immune responses — and potentially revolutionize how we understand health and disease?

Join our ERC-funded research team at the University of Rijeka, Croatia, where we’re launching a frontier project to investigate how learned behaviors and environmental cues can modulate immune function. This interdisciplinary endeavor bridges neuroimmunology, behavioral science, and advanced imaging — including cutting-edge microscopy.

What do we offer:
A fully funded PhD position (5 years) under the prestigious ERC Starting Grant
Access to state-of-the-art imaging and molecular tools
A dynamic, international research environment with mentorship and career development
Opportunities for collaboration across neuroscience, immunology, and behavioral science

Who we’re looking for:
A motivated candidate
Strong interest in experimental research and interdisciplinary approaches
Prior lab experience and familiarity with animal models are a plus
Location: University of Rijeka, Croatia — a vibrant coastal city with growing scientific infrastructure and a supportive academic community.

Start date: Ideally early 2026

Let’s reimagine the immune system — not just as a reactive force, but as a trainable, adaptive partner in health.

If you are interested in working in the team of the researcher who recently obtained the 'Oscar of Science', apply for this job here.