PhD Student Biology (m/f/d)- Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg; Würzburg; Vor Ort; EUR 40.000 - 60.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A prestigious university in Germany is offering a PhD position in molecular infection biology aimed at understanding gut microbial interactions in Fusobacterium nucleatum. The successful candidate will conduct innovative research and must have a Master's degree or equivalent background in molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, or computational science. The position lasts for three years, with a competitive salary based on the German public sector pay scale. All applications must be submitted by January 11th, 2026, via email.

Qualifikationen

• PhD applicants should have an equivalent of a Master's degree.
• Background in molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, or computational science is required.

Aufgaben

• Identify specialized metabolites and study their genetic regulation.
• Research interactions in gut microbiomes, especially Fusobacterium nucleatum.

Kenntnisse

Molecular biology

Biochemistry

Microbiology

Computational science

Ausbildung

Master's degree or equivalent

Jobbeschreibung

The Institute of Molecular Infection Biology (IMIB) was founded as an interdisciplinary research institution of the Würzburg Medical Faculty in 1993. It is a central part of the local Research Center for Infectious Diseases (ZINF) and is tightly connected to the Faculty of Biology of the University of Würzburg.

The research at the Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology addresses various facets of infections caused by pathogenic bacteria, fungi and helminths. The training of students from different disciplines in medical microbiology takes on a high priority. Special expertise beyond the region is offered by the consiliary laboratory for echinococcosis and the national reference centres for Haemophilus and meningococci as well as for invasive fungal infections.

Activities and responsibilities

Applications are invited for a PhD position in the laboratories of Professor Franziska Faber and Professor Jörg Vogel to identify specialized metabolites and study their genetic regulation and functions during gut microbial interactions in Fusobacterium nucleatum (see, for example, Ponath F et al. 2021 Nature Microbiology, Ponath F et al. 2022 PNAS, Cosi V et a. 2025 mBio). This project is funded by the DFG priority program SPP2474, which aims to discover new gene functions in human microbiome members (see https://spp2474.de). More information about ongoing research in the Faber and Vogel labs can be found at www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/.

Qualification profile

PhD applicants should have an equivalent of a Master's degree. All applicants should have a background in molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, or computational science. Further information about available projects can be obtained by email to Prof. Franziska Faber ([e-mail]) and Prof. Jörg Vogel ([e-mail]).

Benefits

The position can be filled as soon as possible and will be available for three years with the possibility of extension. Salary will be based on the pay scale for the public sector in Germany (TV-L) and comply with qualification. The university aims to increase the proportion of female employees, therefore applications from qualified women are particularly encouraged. Preference will be given to handicapped persons in case of otherwise equal aptitude.

Please email your application by January 11th, 2026, including a short letter of motivation, CV, and publication list, copies of relevant documents and certificates, as well as contact information of two academic references, all in a single PDF file with the reference "SPP2474" in the subject line to [e-mail].