PhD Position – Biology and application of bacterial antiphage defenses

PhD Position – Biology and application of bacterial antiphage defenses

As a leading research institution for microbial biotechnology, the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Biotechnology (IBG-1) focuses on molecular and applied microbiology. Interdisciplinary teams are developing biotechnological processes for tomorrow’s industry, with a focus on increasingly automated and miniaturised experiments.

The Synthetic Phage Biology (

SynPhage

) group at IBG-1 invites applications for a PhD position on the biology and applications of bacterial anti-phage defenses. The ongoing arms race between bacteria and phages has been a hotspot of molecular innovation. It has given us CRISPR-Cas and a multitude of other defenses, many with yet uncharacterized mechanisms. At SynPhage, we study shared principles across defenses to understand how bacteria detect infection, how defense determines cell fate, and how new anti-phage mechanisms evolve from the components at hand. We then aim to repurpose these mechanisms as tools for synthetic biology.

Your Job

The successful candidate will study shared antiphage components that may act as sensors, regulators, signal transducers, or effectors across diverse defense types. They will investigate how these components function in the native and engineered contexts at the physiological and mechanistic levels. The ensuing insights will have the potential to inform impactful applications, from biosensors to antimicrobials. The project thus offers an opportunity to make an original contribution to a prominent and rapidly developing field.

Your tasks will include:

• Taking increasing ownership of an ambitious research project
• Communicating findings through meetings, seminars, conferences, and peer-reviewed publications
• Collaborating with internal and external research partners

Your Profile

We are looking for motivated candidates with:

• MSc or equivalent in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, structural biology, biotechnology or similar
• Wet-lab experience. Computational skills are a plus
• Strong interest in phage biology, bacterial defenses, molecular evolution, or synthetic biology
• Enthusiasm for developing and testing original ideas and rigorous and collaborative approach to science
• Very good command of written and spoken English is required (at least B2 level according to the CEFR

)

Our Benefits for You

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

• Team & Environment: You will work in a supportive and friendly research environment that encourages scientific curiosity while valuing mental health and well-being
• Research & Infrastructure: You will have access to state-of-the-art scientific and technical facilities for your research
• Supervision & Support: We will accompany your doctoral studies with continuous, expert guidance from your academic supervisor
• Annual Leave: You get 30 days of annual leave
• Knowledge & Development: Your professional development is important to us – we support you specifically and individually e.g., through training and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral candidates (JuDocS)
• Health & well-being: Your health is important to us. You can look forward to a comprehensive company health management programme with a wide range of options, including a beach volleyball court, running groups, yoga classes and much more. In addition, our company medical service and an experienced social counselling team are available to assist you on site
• Fair remuneration: Depending on your qualifications and assigned responsibilities, you will be classified according to pay group 13 (75%) of the TVöD-Bund. In addition to the basic salary, there is an additional year-end bonus under the collective pay agreement amounting to 75% of a monthly salary, as well as capital-forming benefits. All information about the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on the BMI website

(pay scale table on page 74 of the PDF download)

• Support for international employees: Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more:

https://go.fzj.de/benefits

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities:

https://go.fzj.de/equality

and on specific support options for women: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey

Place of Employment: Jülich

**Start Date:**To the next possible date

Salary: Pay group 13 (75%) TVöD-Bund

Application Deadline: 27.09.2026

Index number: 2026D-0682

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