Bridging science and therapy: Arindam Ghosh leads innovative research at NCT WERA
Arindam Ghosh, Ph.D., heads the newly established Junior Research Group “Target Screening and Immunoreceptor Engineering” at NCT WERA. Photo: University Hospital Würzburg, Jörg Fuchs
Bridging science and therapy: Arindam Ghosh leads innovative research at NCT WERA
Arindam Ghosh, Ph.D., is the head of the newly established Junior Research Group in Target Screening and Immunoreceptor Engineering at NCT WERA. He started his position in Würzburg in January 2026. (Dr. Ghosh earned his Ph.D. in Biophysics from the International Max Planck Research School for Physics of Biological and Complex Systems (IMPRS-PBCS) at the University of Göttingen. Prior to joining NCT WERA, he held several positions, including a Senior Postdoctoral Research Associate position at the University of New South Wales in Sydney.) [BA1] The Inside editorial team spoke with Arindam Ghosh about his decision to move to Würzburg, building his research group, and his scientific goals at NCT.
Dr. Ghosh, what motivated your decision to return to Germany instead of continuing your career in Sydney? I completed my Ph.D. in Germany and also worked as a Postdoctoral Research Scientist at the Biocenter of the Julius-Maximilians-University in Würzburg. This gave me a deep familiarity with the scientific environment here, and ultimately, I decided to continue my professional career in Germany.
For scientists like you, there is certainly a wide range of potential positions. What was your personal motivation for applying for this position at NCT WERA?
This position represents a relatively new concept in clinical research, with great potential to bridge clinical and basic research. Additionally, I can benefit from the strong research and clinical environment provided by experienced immunologists, as well as the excellent infrastructure at NCT.
Which experiences have best prepared you for this leadership role?
Working with scientists from different disciplines in both research and collaborative settings has prepared me well for this role. In addition, my teaching experience and interactions with students have strengthened my skills in mentoring and leading a team.
What does your new role as head of the Junior Research Group in Target Screening and Immunoreceptor Engineering mean for NCT WERA?
At NCT WERA, many clinical studies are conducted in close collaboration with the partner clinics. My group will contribute by investigating how new therapies affect cancer cells at the molecular level using advanced microscopy.
What priorities will you set during your first year?
My first priority is to build the research group from the ground up, which naturally takes time. At the same time, I will focus on setting up the lab and equipping it with everything we need. The main goal for the first year is to successfully run our initial experiments and ensure the group is fully ready to carry out its research independently.
What challenges do you anticipate in building and leading a new research group?
One of the biggest challenges will be recruiting talented and motivated team members. Another important challenge is building a strong scientific network and fostering collaboration across different disciplines to ensure the group thrives.
As you already mentioned, you are looking for team members. Who exactly are you looking for, and what qualifications and skills should these individuals have?
We are looking for a Postdoc and a PhD student. Applicants should have knowledge of cancer biology and/or immunology, as well as some understanding of new therapeutic approaches about new therapies. They can come from either a clinical or a biophysics background, as our projects are highly interdisciplinary.
Interested candidates are welcome to contact arindam.ghosh-at-nct-wera.de if they have any questions.
You are employed by the DKFZ while working within the NCT WERA environment. How are you being integrated into the structures at the site?
As a DKFZ employee working at NCT WERA, I am being integrated through a structured onboarding program and various exchange formats with colleagues across the participating institutions. These activities are currently being rolled out and are designed to connect researchers at the different partner sites. For my work, close collaboration with clinical researchers at the WERA partner institutions will be particularly important, as it allows us to link molecular analyses with ongoing clinical research.
What research topics do you plan to focus on in target screening and immunoreceptor engineering over the next six years?
Several clinical trials on multiple myeloma are currently being conducted at the WERA partner clinics. These studies provide an interesting context for our research. Using advanced microscopy approaches, we aim to investigate how new therapies affect cancer cells at the molecular level. Insights from these analyses may also help inform future research on solid tumors.
Looking ahead
For Dr. Ghosh, this new role represents both a professional milestone and an opportunity to shape the future of translational cancer research at NCT WERA. With his strong background in biophysics, international experience, and clear scientific vision, he brings not only expertise but also the curiosity and leadership needed to build a vibrant and innovative research environment.
By focusing on close collaboration within the NCT and maintaining a strong translational perspective, his work will contribute to the mission of NCT to accelerate the development of patient-centered cancer therapies.
We thank Dr. Ghosh for the inspiring conversation and wish him and his future team every success as they begin this exciting new chapter at the NCT WERA in Würzburg.