A fully funded PhD position is available immediately (or by mutual agreement) at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel, Switzerland. This position is part of the prestigious Swiss National Competence Center in Research (NCCR) “AntiResist” consortium.
PhD Scholarship Opportunity: Antibiotic Biosensor Protein Engineering, University of Basel, Switzerland
Position Summary
- Designation: PhD Student
- Research Area: Molecular Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Protein Design (with a focus on Biosensor Development)
- Location: Basel, Switzerland
- Application Deadline: 20 August 2026
Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Institution | Biozentrum, University of Basel |
| Research Group | Prof. Knut Drescher Lab |
| Funding Status | Fully Funded |
| Location | Basel, Switzerland (bordering Germany and France) |
| Application Deadline | 20 August 2026 |
| Starting Date | Immediately or by mutual agreement |
Research Area: Computational & experimental protein engineering to design and deploy allosteric antibiotic biosensors inside bacterial cells.
Eligibility & Qualifications
- Degree: Must hold a Master’s degree (including a research thesis).
- Field of Study: Molecular microbiology, protein biochemistry, protein design, or a closely related discipline.
- Attributes: Highly motivated, collaborative, and talented researcher eager to work in an international and multidisciplinary environment.
Job & Project Description
The successful candidate will join the research team of Prof. Knut Drescher to help address the global antibiotic resistance crisis.
- The Project: Building upon the lab’s recent breakthrough in developing the first allosteric biosensors for antibiotics (bioRxiv manuscript 2026), this project aims to design and engineer biosensors for all major classes of antibiotics.
- Methodology: The role combines computational and experimental protein design to create functional biosensors inside bacterial cells.
- Application: These biosensors will be deployed to measure real-time antibiotic concentration dynamics in challenging environments, including biofilms, stem-cell-derived organoids, and bioengineered tissue infection models.
- Collaborative Environment: You will work alongside experts in molecular microbiology, biophysics, and bioinformatics, with access to state-of-the-art core facilities.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through the official portal.
- Application Link: Apply Here
- Required Documents:
- A brief statement detailing your previous research experience and your specific interest in this position.
- A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Contact details of two professional references.
- Inquiries: For informal questions about the position, you can reach out directly to knut.drescher@unibas.ch.
Note: Only applications submitted via the online application form will be considered.
