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Project Description

The PhD candidate will study bacterial adhesins and their interactions with host receptors. The work centres on adhesins from Klebsiella, Enterobacter and other species, that are members of the ESKAPE pathogens notorious for their emerging multidrug resistance.

The research includes the genomic mining for potential pathogenicity factors differentiating "real world" patient infecting "colonizing strains" (with low virulence) from "killer strains" (with high virulence). These strains will be made available from the routine diagnostic laboratories of the institute. 

Genomes will be sequenced (using Nanopore-technology) and genome analysis will be performed in collaboration with Prof. Ebersberger. The respective genes will be genetically characterized, recombinantly expressed (e.g., in E. coli) or deleted in the respective patient isolates. Virulence will be determined in infection assays analysing bacterial binding to matrix proteins or in host-cell or invertebrate infection models. Potential binding partners will be analyzed in collaboration with the consortium with a special emphasis on integrins.

Methods will include the generation of bacterial mutants and other methods in molecular microbiology, protein expression and purification, and both cellular infection assays and adhesion assays to matrix proteins. An integral part of the work is the identification of host cell receptors using, e.g., CRISPR-Cas9 technology. For microscopic analysis, a brand-new Zeiss Apotome microscope is available allowing real-time microscopy of infection processes.

The work will be done in close collaboration with groups in the network interested in cellular models, bacterial adhesion, bioinformatics and in anti-virulence drug development. The position thus offers the opportunity of internships with both academic and industrial partners.

Mandatory requirements

The candidate must have:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in Microbiology, Molecular Biology or related fields at the time of admittance to the programme.

• Documented experience in at least one of the following areas: genome analysis, bacterial gene cloning and protein expression ; mutagenesis in non-model bacterial species (ideally in a BSL-2 environment), mass spectrometry (ideally in combination with chemical crosslinking or other pulldown assays), or cell-culture based infection assays with BSL-2 pathogens.

Desirable qualifications

In addition, it is an advantage if the candidate has:

• A good theoretical understanding of infection biology and medical microbiology

Personal skills:

We are an international team of researchers from different scientific and cultural backgrounds. The Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control at Frankfurt University harbours large clinical diagnostic laboratories (fully equipped with latest technology) and several research groups, comprising of clinicians, preclinical and postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, MD students and technical laboratory personnel. Hence, our colleagues should ideally have:

• Good interpersonal communication skills

• The ability to work in interdisciplinary teams

• The ability to work independently on complex projects (from planning and execution to results presentation and scientific writing)

In addition to the eligibility criteria (link to heading below), candidates admitted to the PhD programme at Frankfurt University must fulfil requirements listed here:
Goethe-Universität — Doctorate

Supervisors Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Krankenhaushygiene

Hosting institution Goethe University Frankfurt (Germany) Goethe-Universität — Welcome to Goethe University Frankfurt

Technical information:

• Position location: Frankfurt, Germany.

• Application deadline: January 6th, 2026

• Interviews: February 9th and 13th, 2026 (be available both days)

• Project start date: September 1st, 2026

• Duration: 3 years

How to Apply

Find the eligibility and application requirements below.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must not have been awarded a doctorate previously.
• Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the recruiting institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the date of recruitment. See: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks ‘What does the funding cover’
• Candidates must have a high level of English proficiency (demonstrated eg by TOEFL, IELTS certification) or by having been educated in an English-speaking country to age 18.
• Candidates must meet all eligibility criteria as outlined in the individual research project descriptions.
• Candidates must meet the entry requirements of the institution to which they apply.

Application Requirements
The candidates will be selected based on the quality of the application, expertise, work experience, and qualifications. In the first instance, an expression of interest should be lodged containing the following documents (in English) consolidated into one single PDF file. As mentioned above, it will increase your chances if you apply to more than one project.

• A current cv (resumé) (max 2 pages).
• A short cover letter, no more than 600 words, that covers the following:
  1: your motivation and key research experience/achievements that demonstrate independent thinking and your ability to complete a PhD. Evidence the skills you claim with the documents you give us.
  2: the original working title of your MSc or BSc thesis.
  3: The first scientific memory that you have (max 250 words)
• A clear statement if and how and what AI tools you used. We recommend you do not use them.
• The table of contents of your thesis
• A research outline (max 500 words) related to the DC topic in which you suggest how you can meet and develop further the research project described in the project advertisement. Be specific: where in your attached certificates can we find proof of the necessary qualifications for the given position?

The following items will be submitted in separately in the application form.

• We suggest you apply for up to 3 PhD positions in StraDiVarious. If you do, list two other choices in order of preference. (You do not need to provide further information.)
• Details of 2 referees (names, contact details) who can provide additional information about your qualifications.
• Official Academic Record - Bachelor's and Master’s Certificates and Transcripts.
• We expect that, since a Master’s Degree is required, you will either have completed it at the time of application, or will do so with the requisite grades and be able to provide a degree certificate by July 1st, 2026. In such a case, acceptance is conditional.
• Demonstration of English-language proficiency (official certificates from language tests, or based on your schooling and where you grew up).
• If we suspect unreported use of AI-generated text, we reserve the right to check using AI-text detection tools and summarily reject the application. This is consistent with our no-tolerance policy towards plagiarism.