PhD Position in Mechanisms of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Bacteria

The Drug-Microbiome and Microbiome-Host Interactions groups of the Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections” (CMFI) at the University of Tübingen advertise a

PhD Position within a EU-funded joint project

in Horizontal Gene Transfer in Bacteria

to be filled as soon as possible. The position is limited to three years.

The research groups Drug-Microbiome, headed by Prof. Dr. Ana Rita Brochado, and Microbiome-Host Interactions, headed by Prof. Dr. Lisa Maier, are looking for a PhD student for an EU-funded joint project. The successful candidate will work on a multidisciplinary research project aimed at investigating mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria using systems biology approaches. The PhD student will be integrated into an EU-funded Marie Curie international PhD network of outstanding research groups across Europe to unravel mechanisms of antibiotic resistance (ENDAMR, www.endamr.eu).

Our labs
Antimicrobial resistance is rising to alarming levels and new solutions are needed. Our groups study how bacteria cope with drugs in their environment, covering both mechanistic and ecological aspects of drug-microbe interactions. Our goal is to expose druggable features to aid treatment design, while gaining novel biological insight into how bacteria operate. We combine basic microbiology with high-throughput screening and systems biology approaches. We are a multidisciplinary team of international researchers. We value an open, international, friendly, and supportive environment within the lab. You can find more information about our groups at https://www.brochadolab.com and https://lisamaierlab.com.

Your tasks
• Designing and implementing experiments to investigate mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria, in particular how the environment affects exchange or genetic material between the gut microbes Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium to promote the development of antibiotic resistance.
• This project will include high-throughput screening, proteomics and/or transcriptomics, and bacterial genetics of different bacterial pathogens.
• Developing innovative high-throughput screening approaches using high-end, user-friendly, automation robotic platforms.
• Preparing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.• Presenting research findings at national and international conferences.
• Stay at research institutions abroad for the secondments.

We provide

• Thorough onboarding and training in all relevant techniques.
• Structured PhD program in the framework of the Marie Curie doctoral network ENDAMR, and the Interfaculty Graduate School of Infection Biology and Microbiology (Igim).
• State-of-the-art infrastructure.
• Opportunity to develop intellectual and soft skills.
• Opportunity to attend international conferences and closely interact with our collaboration partners.
• Close guidance and mentorship from leading experts in the field.

Your profile
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.
• Experimental (microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology). Computational skills (Python, R, Java or a related language) skills are a plus, but not mandatory.
• Scientific creativity and drive to address fundamental biological questions.

Formal eligibility criteria and terms of employment.
The candidate has:
• a degree equivalent to a German MSc. degree in microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology, bioinformatics or a related subject.
• not been awarded a doctoral degree.
• not resided or carried out main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Germany for more than 12 months in the last 3 years.
• will be paid a competitive gross Living Allowance of 3,342 €/month (already adjusted for Germany), a Mobility Allowance of 600 €/month and, when applicable, a Family Allowance of 660 €/month. All amounts are subject to deductions by tax and shares.

Contact Prof. Dr. Ana Rita Brochado (ana.brochado@uni-tuebingen.de) if you have any questions regarding the position or the labs.

Send your application as one pdf file by email to systemsmicro.recruit@cmfi.uni-tuebingen.de. The pdf file should contain: a cover letter, your CV including the name and contact of 2 academic referees, and relevant certificates.

The review of applications will begin April 30, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.

The university advocates equal rights for all genders and therefore urges women and gender-diverse people to apply. Equally qualified applicants with disabilities will be given preference.