PhD position- Modeling microbial metabolism

Last date to apply: 31.01.2026
Number of Positions: 01

Our Profile

At the Institute of Applied Microbiology, RWTH Aachen University, we develop next-generation biotechnological processes to convert sustainable resources into valuable products, using synthetic biology, fermentation, data analysis, and modeling to address global environmental challenges and advance an industrial-scale, sustainable bioeconomy.

To support our aims, we are searching for a PhD student in computational biotechnology as a new member for our recent project FrameBio (Multiscale Frameworks for BioSolutions) funded by the European Union through the Horizon Europe, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) grant. FrameBio’s goal is to revolutionize biotechnology by developing comprehensive computational modules that simulate microbial behavior of bioproducts (for food applications, such as Single Cell Proteins) and quantifying its resource dependencies across various scales: Microorganism Design and Engineering – Fermentation Design of Experiments coupled with High Throughput Screening – Commercial Production Scheme Simulations – Supply Chain Design – Planetary Resource Utilization and its Impact on Earths Geophysical Synergies, to predict the broad sustainability impacts of BioSolutions.

This PhD position is part of a Doctoral Network (DN) that will train 13 PhDs in genomics, metabolomics, fermentation and process optimization, and data science and sustainability assessments in a unique venture. A secondment at the Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio) in Valencia, Spain, lasting a total of six months, is an integral part of the PhD program.

Your Profile

The successful applicant has

• University degree (Master’s or equivalent) in bioinformatics, biotechnology, biology, systems biology, or equivalent programs
• At the time of hiring, applicants must not have lived in Germany for more than 12 months in the last 3 years or have carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) there. 
• Good programming skills (foremostly Python)
• Experience in constraint-based metabolic modeling techniques (e.g., COBRA, CellNetAnalyzer, ReFramed)
• Basic biological knowledge of microbial metabolism
• Good written and spoken English as well as presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal, and organizational skills with an ability to work efficiently both independently and in a team
• a creative, open, and resilient mind

Your Duties and Responsibilities

This position is an exciting opportunity to work on a seminal topic and use cutting-edge technologies towards our vision of a sustainable bioeconomy. Your specific tasks will be:

• Validation and curation of constraint-based metabolic models.
• Model microbial stresses encountered in bioreactors to predict and quantify their impact on growth.
• Assisting in the interpretation of experimental data for model parametrization and strain engineering.
• Use state-of-the-art, metabolic model-based algorithms and workflows to compute and evaluate strain and fermentation process designs.
• Participate in scientific conferences, write scientific manuscripts, and supervise student projects and internships.

What We Offer

The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract.
The position is to be filled by 5/1/2026 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 full-time position.
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.