The German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE), a member of the Leibniz Association, is offering a fully funded PhD position in the Department of Molecular Metabolism and Precision Nutrition. The institute is renowned for its experimental and clinical research in nutrition and health, with a mission to understand the molecular basis of nutrition-dependent diseases and develop new strategies for their treatment and prevention. This doctoral project focuses on investigating the hormonal and molecular mechanisms involved in the nutritional regulation of human metabolism, with a particular emphasis on the role of the circadian clock in metabolic regulation by nutrition. The successful candidate will contribute to a human study by performing metabolic phenotyping of participants with and without type 2 diabetes. The research will include analysis of circadian rhythms and omics analysis in human adipocytes to reveal differences in circadian rhythms and metabolic parameters between healthy individuals and those with type 2 diabetes. Key responsibilities: Support study participant examinations and process blood and adipose tissue samples Conduct biomarker analysis in blood samples Perform molecular biology analysis of blood cells and adipose tissue samples Carry out cell culture experiments with primary human adipocytes Evaluate results, including rhythm analysis in time series and omics data Prepare publications and present research results at colloquia and conferences Eligibility and requirements: Applicants must have an MSc degree or Diploma in nutritional sciences, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related biological or medical field. Experience in human studies, nutritional data analysis, cell culture, and molecular biology laboratory work is preferred. Additional expertise in chronobiology, circadian rhythm analysis, and bioinformatic analysis of omics data is advantageous. High motivation, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary and diverse research environment are essential. Proficiency in both German and English (written and spoken) is required. Funding and benefits: The position is funded for three years with remuneration according to TV-L, level 13 (65%), plus annual special payment and company pension scheme. DIfE offers excellent technical equipment, a wide range of experimental methods, a dynamic and interactive research environment, family-friendly working conditions, support for public transport, and 30 days of vacation. Application process: Submit your application (cover letter, CV, copies of degrees/certificates, and references) as a single PDF file with reference number 2025_W08_AP by email to jobs@dife.de before December 3rd, 2025. For further information, contact Prof. Dr. Olga Ramich at Olga.Ramich@dife.de . More details about the institute can be found at https://www.dife.de/en/ . Application link: https://academicpositions.com/#apply