The Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI) in Germany is offering a fully funded PhD position as part of the International Leibniz Research School ILRS 2.0. The research project focuses on the role of Candida albicans lipases as modulators of the human microbiome, specifically investigating how these enzymes shape fungal-bacterial interactions in the gut and impact host health. Candida albicans is a key fungal pathogen and commensal organism, and its metabolic interactions with bacteria are not fully understood. This project will utilize state-of-the-art genomic, transcriptomic, and molecular biology techniques to explore the mechanisms by which C. albicans lipases process dietary lipids and influence the growth of specific gut bacteria, with broader implications for microbiome composition and infectious disease treatment. The successful candidate will join the Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms and be jointly supervised by Prof. Dr. Bernhard Hube, Dr. Sascha Brunke, and Prof. Dr. Gianni Panagiotou from the Department of Microbiome Dynamics. The position is integrated into a structured doctoral training program, providing access to cutting-edge research facilities, a highly communicative and interdisciplinary scientific network, and a vibrant academic environment in Jena, Germany. Applicants should have a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, or related disciplines, with a strong experimental background in molecular biology, microbiology, and/or biochemistry. Excellent English communication skills and the ability to work in an international team are required. The position is fully funded for four years, with salary according to German TV-L standards. Applications must be submitted in English via the Leibniz-HKI online application system by December 13, 2025, and should include a cover letter, CV, transcript of records, and contact details for three referees. Selected candidates will be invited to a recruitment meeting in Jena in early 2026. Key research areas include Candida albicans, lipases, microbiome modulation, fungal-bacterial interactions, molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, genomics, transcriptomics, and infection biology. The opportunity is ideal for candidates interested in advancing their expertise in microbiome research and infectious disease mechanisms within a leading European research institute.

The Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI) in Germany is offering a fully funded PhD position as part of the International Leibniz Research School (ILRS 2.0). The project, titled 'Candida albicans lipases as microbiome modulators,' investigates the role of fungal lipases in shaping the gut microbiome and influencing host health. Candida albicans is a key fungal commensal and pathogen, and its extracellular lipases process dietary lipids, modulating bacterial growth in the gut with significant effects on the host. This research combines molecular biology, microbiome research, and host-microbe interaction studies, utilizing state-of-the-art genomic, transcriptomic, and molecular biology techniques. The successful candidate will join a diverse, interdisciplinary team and contribute to fundamental understanding of fungal-bacterial-host crosstalk. The project is jointly supervised by Dr. Sascha Brunke, Prof. Dr. Gianni Panagiotou, and Prof. Dr. Bernhard Hube, all affiliated with Leibniz-HKI. Applicants should have a Master's degree (or equivalent) in microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, or related disciplines, with a strong experimental background in molecular biology, microbiology, and/or biochemistry. Excellent communication skills in English and the ability to work in an international, interdisciplinary team are required. The position is fully funded for four years, with salary according to German TV-L standards, and includes access to cutting-edge research facilities and integration into the ILRS 2.0 doctoral training program. Applications must be submitted in English via the Leibniz-HKI online application system and should include a cover letter, CV, certificate of study/transcript of records, and addresses of three referees. The application deadline is December 13, 2025. Selected candidates will be invited to a recruitment meeting in Jena in early 2026. For further details, visit the provided project and institute links. Keywords: Candida albicans, microbiome, lipases, molecular biology, host-microbe interactions, infection biology, natural products, genomics, transcriptomics.