PhD / Research Opportunity – Microbiology: A fully funded PhD/Research opportunity is available in a newly established laboratory at the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI). The project focuses on understanding how intracellular bacterial pathogens—such as those causing tuberculosis, typhoid fever, and leprosy—adapt, survive, or are eliminated within host cells. The lab employs state-of-the-art systems microbiology and single-cell technologies to address fundamental questions in host–pathogen interactions.
PhD / Research Opportunity – Systems Microbiology of Intracellular Pathogens
Designation
PhD Researcher / Doctoral Candidate (Systems Microbiology)
Research Area
- Systems Microbiology
- Intracellular Bacterial Pathogens
- Host–Pathogen Interactions
- Single-cell and Spatial Biology
- Functional Genomics
Location
Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Germany
Eligibility / Qualification
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Systems Biology, or a related life sciences field
- Strong interest in infectious diseases and host–pathogen interactions
- Background or motivation to work with advanced molecular and cellular techniques
- Experience with genomics, imaging, or computational biology is an advantage (but not mandatory)
Job Description
The selected PhD researcher will:
- Investigate survival and adaptation mechanisms of intracellular bacterial pathogens
- Apply cutting-edge techniques such as:
- Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
- CRISPR-based molecular recording
- Image-enabled cell sorting
- Analyze pathogen behavior inside host cells
- Contribute to understanding how infections are cleared or persist, and how this balance can be shifted toward pathogen elimination
- Work in an interdisciplinary and international research environment
How to Apply
Interested candidates should contact the group directly via email with a brief statement of interest and CV:
📩 Email: camilla.ciolli-mattioli@helmholtz-hiri.de
Last Date for Apply
🗓️ Open until filled (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)
