Job Advertisement HKI-60/2025

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: Liver-on-chip based elucidation of macrophage-drug interactions in invasive candidiasis

Research Area:

Invasive candidiasis is a devastating disease of immunocompromised patients associated with a high mortality and challenging antifungal management. Despite extensive knowledge on the events leading to disseminated infection, such as C. albicans translocation through the intestinal barrier, less is known about late-stage infection of vital organs. The liver is a major target organ in patients suffering from invasive candidiasis. Using organ-on-chip as an alternatives method to in vivo infection models this project will focus on this crucial and life-threatening stage of invasive candidiasis. Using liver-on-chip the project will investigate macrophages as tissue-resident sentinels that mediate initial fungal clearance and coordination of downstream immune responses. Moreover, the project will elucidate how established and experimental immunomodulatory drugs improve or dysregulate the capacity of macrophages to mediate antifungal immunity. As such the project will make use of a liver-on-chip model to study macrophage-C. albicans interactions combined with quantitative microscopic dissection of fungal infection and host responses and liver metabolizing capacities (bioanalytics) on chip.

Required Qualifications:

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

  • Strong experimental background in immunology, microbiology, and/or biochemistry.

  • Experience with organ-on-chip and/or microscopic image analysis 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 Junior Research Group Adaptive Pathogenicity Strategies (Dr. Mark Gresnigt) and jointly supervised by the research group Applied Systems Biology (Prof. Marc Thilo Figge) and the Transfergroup Anti-infectives (Dr. Sina Gerbach). 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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