Job Advertisement HKI-59/2025

At the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI), we investigate the pathobiology of microorganisms and develop new natural product-based active compounds for the treatment of infectious diseases. As part of the structured doctoral program International Leibniz Research School ILRS 2.0 we invite talented candidates to apply for a position as

Doctoral Researcher (m/f/div)

for four years.

Project title: Deciphering microbiome-enteric nervous system interactions in sepsis

Research Area:

Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome driven by a dysregulated host response to infection, and a major cause of mortality worldwide.

The gut microbiome may play an important, though still incompletely understood, role in sepsis pathophysiology. During severe infection, extensive shifts in microbial communities may disrupt gut barrier integrity, immune balance, and neuro–immune communication. The enteric nervous system (ENS), positioned at the interface between the gut, immune, and nervous systems, provides a key entry point to study how microbial and inflammatory signals influence neural function during sepsis.

By combining microbiome analysis, patient-derived microbiota isolation, organ-on-chip technologies, and genome-scale metabolic modelling with mechanistic studies on gut–nerve interactions, this work aims to uncover pathways linking microbiome disturbances to ENS dysfunction, laying the ground for microbiome-based strategies to mitigate sepsis-associated neurological complications.

Required Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree (or equivalent) in biological engineering, microbiology, immunology, neurobiology, or related disciplines. Candidates about to obtain their degree are welcome to apply.

  • Strong experimental background in microbiology and computational biology.

  • Experience with (advanced) cell culture is a plus.

  • The candidate should be willing and able to work in an international, interdisciplinary research team.

  • Very good communication skills in English.

We offer:

  • Cutting edge research facilities and world-renowned faculty

  • A highly communicative atmosphere within an energetic and interdisciplinary scientific network

  • Integration into the structured and interdisciplinary doctoral training program ILRS 2.0

  • Jena – City of Science, a young and lively city with a vibrant local cultural agenda

  • Salary is paid according to German TV-L (salary agreement for public service employees).


The successful candidate will be hosted in the Department of Deep Microbiome Metabolomics and jointly supervised by Prof. Sarela Garcia-Santamarina, Prof. Gianni Panagiotou and Prof. Sebastian Weis. The Leibniz-HKI is embedded in the outstanding scientific environment of the Beutenberg Campus providing state-of-art research facilities and a highly integrative network of life science groups.

Further information:

For more information about ILRS2.0, please click here.

Christine Vogler | christine.vogler@leibniz-hki.de

Applications:
Leibniz-HKI is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. It aims to increase the proportion of underrepresented groups in case of equal suitability. All qualified persons, regardless of color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other classification protected by law, will receive consideration for employment.

Complete applications in English should include a cover letter, a CV, a certificate of study/transcript of records, the addresses of three possible referees, and should be submitted via the Leibniz-HKI online application system. The deadline for applications is December 13, 2025. Selected candidates will be invited to a recruitment meeting in Jena in early 2026 for personal interviews.




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