A fully funded PhD position is available at the University of Basel’s Biozentrum, one of the world’s leading life sciences institutes. This project is a part of the Swiss National Competence Center in Research (NCCR) “AntiResist” consortium, aiming to combat the global antibiotic resistance crisis. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Prof. Knut Drescher to develop innovative allosteric biosensors for all major classes of antibiotics, combining computational protein design with experimental molecular microbiology.
PhD Scholarship Opportunity: Antibiotic Biosensor Protein Engineering, University of Basel, Switzerland
Position Overview
| Category | Details |
| Designation | PhD Student |
| Research Area | Molecular Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Protein Design |
| Location | Basel, Switzerland |
| Application Deadline | 20 August 2026 |
| Employment Start | Immediately or by mutual agreement |
Job Description
The selected PhD student will focus on extending recent breakthroughs in allosteric biosensors to cover all major classes of antibiotics. Key responsibilities include:
- Utilizing computational and experimental approaches to design new biosensor candidates.
- Transforming candidates into fully functional biosensors inside bacterial cells.
- Applying the newly developed biosensors to measure real-time antibiotic concentration dynamics inside bacterial cells.
- Conducting infection biology assays ranging from biofilm treatments to stem-cell-derived organoids and bioengineered tissue infection systems.
Eligibility & Qualifications
- A Master’s degree with a research thesis in molecular microbiology, protein biochemistry, protein design, or a closely related discipline.
- Highly motivated, talented, and capable of working in a multidisciplinary, international team environment.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the official online portal.
- Prepare a brief statement outlining your research experience and your specific interest in this position.
- Update your CV.
- Gather the contact information for two professional references.
- Submit your application directly through the Online Application Form.
Note: For informal enquiries regarding the project or the lab environment, you can contact Prof. Knut Drescher directly via email atknut.drescher@unibas.ch. You can also view the team’s past work on theDrescher Lab Publications Page.
Application Deadline
- 20 August 2026
