Prof. Ilse Jacobsen’s Microbial Immunology group at JSMC is looking for a doctoral researcher to study how dietary fiber shapes the gut’s resistance to a common fungal pathogen. The position runs three years at TV-L E13, 65%, with applications due 20 August 2026 and a start date around 1 September of the same year.
Summary details: PhD in infection biology at JSMC
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Position | Doctoral Researcher (TV-L E13, 65%) in Infection Biology |
| Field | Infection biology, microbiota, host-fungus interactions |
| Institution | Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC) / Leibniz-HKI, Jena, Germany |
| Funding | TV-L E13, 65%, per German public-sector pay scale, plus annual special payment |
| Duration | 3 years, fixed-term |
| Application Deadline | 20 August 2026 |
| Degree required | MSc in Microbiology, Infection Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry, or a closely related field (including medicine or veterinary medicine) |
About the position
Run through the JSMC and the Cluster of Excellence “Balance of the Microverse,” with the employment contract at the Leibniz-HKI, this is a wet-lab project supervised by Prof. Ilse Jacobsen. It asks how dietary fiber changes the composition and metabolism of the gut microbiota, and through that, how it affects colonization by Candida albicans, a fungus that causes disease in humans. The student will work with mouse models already established in the lab, alongside metabolome and microbiome analysis and in vitro experiments, to work out which fibers, which bacterial groups, and which mechanisms drive that colonization resistance.
Research areas and focus
| Area | Focus |
|---|---|
| Infection biology | Colonization resistance against the fungal pathogen Candida albicans |
| Microbiota research | Effects of dietary fiber on gut microbiota composition and metabolism |
| In vivo models | Mouse models of diet-microbiota-pathogen interactions |
| Metabolomics and microbiome analysis | Identifying fiber types, bacterial taxa, and mechanisms involved |
What you will do
- Carry out in vivo and in vitro experiments, working independently on your doctoral project
- Analyse results, generate figures, and write manuscripts for publication
- Present your work at local, national, and international meetings
- Collaborate with experimental and computational researchers in the group and across the Cluster
- Help train and supervise other researchers, such as student assistants and BSc students
- Contribute to a collaborative, welcoming team environment
Who can apply
- MSc in Microbiology, Infection Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry, or a closely related field, including medicine or veterinary medicine (final-stage MSc students may apply)
- Experience with microbiology methods is essential; experience in metabolomics, microbiome analysis, or working with laboratory animals is a plus
- Willingness to learn basic computational methods
- Curiosity, self-motivation, and attention to detail
- A cooperative, interdisciplinary working style
- Excellent written and spoken English
What is offered
- A three-year doctoral position (TV-L E13, 65%), funded through JSMC and the Thuringian State government (2026-2028), then the Excellence Strategy of the German Federal and State governments (2029)
- A structured, interdisciplinary PhD training program with mentoring and soft-skills courses
- A base in Jena, a compact German city built around its science community
- Support from a dedicated management team on onboarding, family life, and career development, plus events on topics like mental health and communication
- 30 days of vacation per year, plus December 24 and 31 off
How to apply
- Prepare a cover letter/letter of motivation, CV, publication list (optional at doctoral level), and scans of certificates and diplomas.
- Submit these through JSMC’s online application platform for this specific project (linked via QR code and application link in the official job ad PDF).
- If shortlisted, you’ll have an initial interview with the PI, followed for top candidates by a Zoom recruitment event in September 2026, where you’ll give a 10-minute talk introducing your work to the JSMC and Microverse community.
Deadline: 20 August 2026. The application platform opens 20 July 2026.
Related opportunities
Source: Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC) recruitment 2026