Postdoctoral Researcher in Antimicrobial Peptide Engineering and Discovery at Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute in Germany

The Robotic-assisted Discovery of Antiinfectives group, led by Junior Group Leader Luzia Gyr at the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI), is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in Antimicrobial Peptide Engineering and Discovery. The position is part of the SynThera initiative, a collaborative project funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation and involving ten research groups in Jena, Germany. SynThera aims to design and deploy synthetic microorganisms to selectively detect and destroy bacterial and fungal pathogens.

The successful candidate will engineer and optimize biosynthetic pathways to generate diverse libraries of natural products, such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and RiPPs, for integration into therapeutic microbes. The project involves molecular cloning, library generation, and high-throughput screening of peptide-based natural products using the advanced robotic platform JenXplor. The research is highly interdisciplinary, combining synthetic biology, molecular biology, chemistry, and robotics to address challenges in infection biology and therapeutic development.

Applicants should have a PhD in synthetic biology, natural product chemistry, microbiology, life science, or a related field. Required skills include extensive experience in synthetic biology and molecular biology techniques, particularly molecular cloning, and experience with DNA/peptide library creation and antimicrobial peptides. Familiarity with high-throughput screening assays and automated liquid handling systems is advantageous. Strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential for collaboration within the SynThera consortium.

The position offers a salary according to the German TV-L scale, access to state-of-the-art research facilities, a comprehensive mentoring program, and a vibrant scientific community on the Beutenberg Campus. The research environment is highly collaborative, with opportunities for academic and industrial partnerships, training in soft skills, and participation in national and international scientific meetings.

Applications should be submitted in English via the Leibniz-HKI online application system and must include a cover letter, CV with a complete list of publications, a brief statement of research experiences, and the addresses of two referees. The application deadline is December 21, 2025, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. For further information, contact Dr. Luzia Gyr at [email protected].