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Jena University Hospital

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Doctoral Candidate (PhD student position) / DC15, MSCA Doctoral Network MenoBrain University Hospital Jena in Germany

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Computer Science

Funding

Available

Deadline

Oct 15, 2026

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Country

Germany

University

Jena University Hospital

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Keywords

Computer Science
Biology
Neuropsychology
Neuroinflammation
Medical Science
Menopause
Gut Microbiota
Omics
Cell Culture Techniques
Extracellular Vesicle
Bioinformatic
Lipidomic
Metabolomic

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About this position

Doctoral Candidate (PhD student position) DC15 is available within the EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network MenoBrain: Brain Health in Menopausal Women. The position is organised through the University Hospital Jena and the Kerttu Saalasti Institute of the University of Oulu (Finland), and it is hosted within a collaborative European training network focused on menopause-related brain health.

The specific doctoral project is titled “Immunostimulatory potential of gut microbiome-derived bacterial extracellular vesicles from menopausal women.” The research will investigate whether bacterial extracellular vesicles (bEVs) isolated from human stool samples differ according to cognitive performance and menopause-related phenotypes, and how they activate innate immune pathways that may contribute to neuroinflammation. In the wider MenoBrain programme, bEVs are explored as candidate biomarkers of menopause-related cognitive decline and as mechanistic mediators of microbiome-brain interactions.

The work sits at the interface of biological sciences, microbiome research, immunology, and brain health, with strong links to multi-omics and bioinformatics. Experimental methods include filtration and gradient ultracentrifugation, electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, RNA isolation and PCR, SDS-PAGE-based protein analysis, cell culture, immunostimulation experiments, flow cytometry, and fluorescence-based assays. The project also includes broader omics characterisation such as 16S profiling, metabolomics, proteomics, and lipidomics.

This is a full-time, funded PhD position for 3 years, starting in November/December 2026. The recruitment is part of Horizon Europe / MSCA Doctoral Network grant agreement 101227102. Eligible candidates must be in the first four years of their research career, must not already hold a doctoral degree, and must satisfy the MSCA mobility rule regarding residence in Finland.

Applicants should have a Master’s degree or equivalent in biological sciences or computer science, with very good English skills. The project offers excellent training opportunities in microbiome analysis, vesicle biology, immune assays, and multi-omics data integration. Applications are submitted by email and should include a motivation letter, CV, degree certificates, course transcripts/grades, and contact details for two referees.

Application deadline: 15 October 2026 (22:00 Europe/Berlin). Early applications are preferred.

Funding details

Available

What's required

Applicants must have a Master degree or equivalent in Biological sciences or Computer science (or a closely related field), be in the first four years of their research career, not already hold a doctoral degree, and must not have resided in Finland for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Very good English language skills are required. The project prefers candidates with interest in bioinformatics and multi-omics data integration and involves experimental work such as vesicle isolation, electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, RNA isolation and PCR, SDS-PAGE protein analysis, cell culture, immunostimulation experiments, flow cytometry, and fluorescence-based assays.

How to apply

Send one PDF containing a motivation letter, CV with publications if available, copies of university degrees and courses with grades, and the names and e-mail addresses of two referees. Apply by email to [email protected]. Early applications are preferred before 2026-10-15.

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