The Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI) investigates the pathobiology of human-pathogenic fungi and identifies targets for the development of novel natural product-based antibiotics. The department Biomolecular Chemistry invites talented and highly motivated candidates to apply as

Doctoral Researcher (m/f/div) position in Biomolecular Research

for three years initially (salary according to TV-L) with the possibility for extension until completion of the PhD project.

The Department of Biomolecular Chemistry investigates the specialized metabolites from microbes, their biosynthesis, and their relevance for medicine, ecology, and biotechnology. Our research focuses on anaerobes, little explored bacteria that thrive in the absence of oxygen. These microbes have a significant impact on the quality of life on Earth and are essential components of the gut microbiota. As such, they are of tremendous importance for human, animal, and environmental health, but their biosynthetic potential is still underexplored.

The ERC-funded “AnoxyGen” project seeks to unearth the structural wealth of natural products from the anaerobic world and leverage their unique biosynthetic machinery using a versatile anaerobic expression platform. Through a combination of genome mining, synthetic biology, and natural product research we aim to elucidate chemical mediators, virulence factors, and antibiotics from anaerobes.

Candidate´s profile:

  • An enthusiasm for interdisciplinary science

  • A strong dedication to basic research with potential medicinal applications

  • A Master's degree in Life Sciences (Biochemistry or Microbiology or Chemistry or Chemical Biology)

  • Outstanding laboratory skills

  • Great team spirit

  • Proficiency in English (our lab language)

We offer:

  • Exciting, multifaceted, innovation-oriented research projects

  • Excellent working atmosphere

  • A dynamic, warm-hearted, international team

  • Outstanding mentoring and guidance

  • Membership in a graduate academy

  • Training in professional skills, participation in conferences, etc.

For further information: 

Prof. Dr. Christian Hertweck & Barbara Urbansky | +49 3641 532 1100 | career@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 race, 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 including a statement of research experiences, the addresses of two possible referees, and should be submitted via the Leibniz-HKI online application system. The deadline for the advertisement is 31 March, 2025, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.