Fixed-term

Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology: Mass Core for Life Sciences (MCLS) We are seeking to fill a part-time position (25.8895 hours/week = 65%) as soon as possible . PhD student (m/f/d) in chemical biology with a research focus on target identification in antibiotic research The threat posed by bacterial infections is a steadily growing danger to global health. Resistant strains of bacteria, such as MRSA or XDR-TB, are spreading further and increasingly evading conventional antibiotic therapies. Therefore, chemotherapeutic agents with novel mechanisms of action are urgently needed to enable effective treatments against these resistant strains. An important resource for the development of such new drugs are bioactive natural products, which can originate from a wide variety of organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, or plants. To fully exploit the potential of these natural products, it is essential to elucidate their biological mechanisms of action. The MCLS develops and utilizes innovative methods of chemical biology in combination with state-of-the-art mass spectrometry-based analysis to identify the molecular targets of newly isolated natural products and thus elucidate their mechanisms of action for a translational research approach. To strengthen our team, we are seeking a PhD student (m/f/d) to start as soon as possible. The PhD research will focus on identifying potential protein targets of naturally occurring polyaromatic anthraquinones in Bacillus subtilis and pathogenic bacteria. This includes the chemical synthesis of these natural products and their derivatization, with the aim of generating chemical probes for use in MS-based enrichment experiments. The potential protein targets identified in this way will then be validated and further characterized using biochemical and molecular biological methods. Scope: Part-time Duration: temporary, 3 years Start: at the earliest possible date Apply by: February 16, 2026 Your tasks: Independent and goal-oriented work on one’s own interdisciplinary project Planning and execution of chemical syntheses and biological experiments Chemical synthesis of natural products and their derivatives Characterization and quality control of synthesis products using MS-based analysis and NMR spectroscopy Design, synthesis and use of chemical probes in activity/affinity-based protein profiling Cultivation of bacteria and their use in biological studies Conducting and interpreting proteomics and metabolomics experiments Literature review to observe current scientific developments and publication of own results Participation in university teaching and student supervision Your profile: A successful Master’s degree in chemical biology, biochemistry, chemistry, (molecular) biology, pharmacy or a related field is mandatory. A strong interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface between chemistry and biology is required. Fluent German language skills (min. C1) and ideally English language skills (min. B2) in spoken and written form are required. Solid experience in chemical synthesis and product characterization is required. Ideally, you have expertise in MS-based analytics in the fields of proteomics and metabolomics. Safe application of biochemical or molecular biological techniques is desirable. Experience in microbiology and handling bacterial samples is desirable. A high willingness to learn new scientific methods and techniques is required. Strong teamwork and communication skills are required. Excellent computer and software skills are an advantage. We offer: Challenging and varied tasks with a high degree of personal responsibility Flexible working hours that take study schedules into account. Employment at one of Germany’s largest universities, part of the University Alliance Ruhr A diverse range of sports activities with around 100 sports and a university-owned fitness studio. State-of-the-art laboratory equipment and direct access to MCLS resources Dedicated mentoring in a small, young team Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations Further information: Employment is on a salaried basis and is governed by the collective agreement for public sector employees of the German states (TV-L). Upon fulfillment of the personal and collective agreement requirements, the position will be classified in pay grade E13 TV-L. Further information can be found at https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/ . The place of employment is Ruhr University Bochum. The scope of the teaching load is governed by Section 3 of the North Rhine-Westphalia Teaching Load Ordinance. Are you interested? We look forward to receiving your detailed application! Please include a CV, a letter of motivation, a summary of your Bachelor’s and Master’s projects, relevant certificates, and, if possible, letters of recommendation with your application. Please note that only complete applications can be considered. RUB sees itself as a university with an international reach. The campus languages ​​are German and English. Proficiency in at least one of these two languages ​​and a willingness to learn the other are required. RUB provides corresponding free language courses for employees. The Staff Council has the right to participate in all selection interviews. At the request of an applicant, the Staff Council will guarantee its participation in the entire process. Please contact wpr@rub.de . Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) is one of Germany’s leading research universities. As a reform-oriented campus university, it uniquely unites the entire spectrum of major academic disciplines in one location. The dynamic interaction between subjects and academic cultures offers researchers and students alike exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. RUB stands for diversity and equal opportunities. Therefore, we promote collaboration in diverse teams and the career development of individuals who are underrepresented in their respective fields. RUB explicitly encourages applications from women. In areas where they are underrepresented, they will be given preferential consideration if equally qualified. Applications from people with disabilities are also very welcome. Contact persons for further information: Dr. David Podlesainski, Tel.: +49 234 32 17978 Unfortunately, travel expenses, accommodation costs, loss of earnings, and other application costs for job interviews cannot be reimbursed. We look forward to receiving your application, quoting reference number ANR 5302, by February 16, 2026, via our online application portal. Apply Now

Research Assistant/Associate (f/m/d) – PhD Position Contact Roy Eerlings +49 241 8026603 Send Email Lars M. Blank Send Email Institution Chair of Applied Microbiology Our Profile We, the Institute of Applied Microbiology at RWTH Aachen University, are seeking a talented and motivated individual who is interested in pursuing a PhD in the field of microbial metabolic engineering as part of the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Joint Doctoral Network ‘Better BioBased Polymer Network’. The B3PO-educational network comprises nine academic laboratories with core competencies in biotechnology, organic polymer synthesis and materials science, world-leading industrial companies that manufacture enzymes and polymers, and four high-tech-KMU to form an interdisciplinary, cross-sector consortium. The doctoral project (DC08) offered here focuses on pathway rewiring for novel compound biosynthesis, dynamic regulation strategies to balance growth and production, and tolerance engineering to overcome stress from product accumulation. Your Profile Completed university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in biotechnology or related fields Backroud/Experience in molecular biology or yeast microbiology as well as in the field of metabolic engineering is beneficial No doctoral degree should have been obtained at the time of recruitment At the time of recruitment, the researcher should not have lived in Germany or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) for more than 12 months in the last three years prior to the date of recruitment. (Military service and/or short stays such as holidays are not taken into). Willingness to be sent on secondments to network partners You are fluent in spoken and written English Your Duties and Responsibilities Independent laboratory and research work under the guidance of an academic supervisor and in collaboration with other B3PO-DCs. Writing scientific publications and presenting results at workshops, conferences and training courses. Active participation in B3PO training activities and collaboration within the network. What We Offer The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract. The position is to be filled by 3/1/2026 and offered for a fixed term of three years. The fixed-term employment is possible as it constitutes one of the fixed-term options of the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (German Act on Fixed-term Scientific Contracts). This is a part-time contract position. The standard weekly hours will be 25,89 hours. This is a part-time contract position (65 % of the standard weekly hours for full-time employees). The successful candidate has the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in this position. The salary is based on the German public service salary scale (TV-L). The position corresponds to a pay grade of EG 13 TV-L. About us RWTH is a certified family-friendly University. We support our employees in maintaining a good work-life balance with a wide range of health, advising, and prevention services, for example university sports. Employees who are covered by collective bargaining agreements and civil servants have access to an extensive range of further training courses and the opportunity to purchase a job ticket. RWTH is an equal opportunities employer. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, particularly from groups that are underrepresented at the University. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability or age. RWTH is strongly committed to encouraging women in their careers. Female applicants are given preference if they are equally suitable, competent, and professionally qualified, unless a fellow candidate is favored for a specific reason. As RWTH is committed to equality of opportunity, we ask you not to include a photo in your application. You can find information on the personal data we collect from applicants in accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) at http://www.rwth-aachen.de/dsgvo-information-bewerbung. Application Number V000010249 Application deadline 31/01/2026 Mailing Address RWTH Aachen University Lehrstuhl für Angewandte Mikrobiologie Dr. Roy Eerlings Worringer Weg 1 52074 Aachen Email Send Email Applicants are invited to submit their applications via email. For data protection reasons, however, we recommend sending applications via mail.

Research Assistant/Associate (f/m/d) – PhD Position Contact Roy Eerlings +49 241 8026603 Send Email Lars M. Blank Send Email Institution Chair of Applied Microbiology Our Profile We, the Institute of Applied Microbiology at RWTH Aachen University, are seeking for a talented and motivated individual who is eager to pursue a PhD in the field of biocatalysis within the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Joint Doctoral Network ‘Better BioBased Polymer Network’. The B3PO-educational network comprises nine academic laboratories with core competencies in biotechnology, organic polymer synthesis and materials science, world-leading industrial companies that manufacture enzymes and polymers, and four high-tech-KMU to form an interdisciplinary, cross-sector consortium. The doctoral project (DC15) offered here explores biocatalysis-driven polyester degradation by characterizing and subsequently implementing novel enzymes into microbial systems. Your Profile Completed university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in biotechnology or related fields Backroud/Experience in molecular biology, biocatalysis and enzymology is beneficial No doctoral degree should have been obtained at the time of recruitment At the time of recruitment, the researcher should not have lived in Germany or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) for more than 12 months in the three years prior to the date of recruitment. Military service and/or short stays such as holidays are not taken into account. Willingness to be sent on secondments to network partners You are fluent in spoken and written English Your Duties and Responsibilities Independent laboratory and research work under the guidance of an academic supervisor and in collaboration with other B3PO-DCs.  Writing scientific publications and presenting results at workshops, conferences and training courses.  Active participation in B3PO training activities and collaboration within the network. What We Offer The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract. The position is to be filled by 3/1/2026 and offered for a fixed term of three years. The fixed-term employment is possible as it constitutes one of the fixed-term options of the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (German Act on Fixed-term Scientific Contracts). This is a part-time contract position. The standard weekly hours will be 25,89 hours. This is a part-time contract position (65 % of the standard weekly hours for full-time employees). The successful candidate has the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in this position. The salary is based on the German public service salary scale (TV-L). The position corresponds to a pay grade of EG 13 TV-L. About us RWTH is a certified family-friendly University. We support our employees in maintaining a good work-life balance with a wide range of health, advising, and prevention services, for example university sports. Employees who are covered by collective bargaining agreements and civil servants have access to an extensive range of further training courses and the opportunity to purchase a job ticket. RWTH is an equal opportunities employer. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, particularly from groups that are underrepresented at the University. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability or age. RWTH is strongly committed to encouraging women in their careers. Female applicants are given preference if they are equally suitable, competent, and professionally qualified, unless a fellow candidate is favored for a specific reason. As RWTH is committed to equality of opportunity, we ask you not to include a photo in your application. You can find information on the personal data we collect from applicants in accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) at http://www.rwth-aachen.de/dsgvo-information-bewerbung. Application Number V000010259 Application deadline 31/01/2026 Mailing Address RWTH Aachen University Lehrstuhl für Angewandte Mikrobiologie Dr. Roy Eerlings Worringer Weg 1 52074 Aachen Email Send Email Applicants are invited to submit their applications via email. For data protection reasons, however, we recommend sending applications via mail.