PhD Student Position in Host–Microbe Interaction and Novel Therapeutics

Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) invites applications for a PhD student in the field of host–microbe interaction and novel therapeutics. This funded doctoral position is based within the Faculty of Medicine, under the Professorship of Translational Microbiology and Immunopathology of Infections.

The PhD project will be conducted in the Winstel Laboratory, which focuses on the pathogenesis of clinically relevant bacterial pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The research combines:

• Molecular and cellular microbiology
• Computational and bioinformatics-driven approaches
• Development of novel therapeutic strategies against multidrug-resistant infections

The project integrates genetics, bacteriology, bioinformatics, disease-mimicking tissue culture systems, organoids, and in vivo infection models.

• Perform molecular cloning, genetic engineering, chromatography, microscopy, and histology
• Design bioinformatics and computational pipelines to study host–pathogen mechanisms
• Develop and test novel antimicrobial and therapeutic intervention strategies
• Carry out infection assays using tissue culture models, including organoids
• Process and analyze patient-derived samples

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or Data Science
• Strong background in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, and biochemistry
• Excellent command of English (written and spoken)
• Experience handling infectious agents or working with animal models
• Knowledge of machine learning, bioinformatics, or data science
• Interest in translational research and therapeutic innovation