Kirsten Jung

This PhD position at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), Faculty of Biology, focuses on reprogramming bacteria within the human gut microbiota. The project aims to understand and manipulate the complex microbial communities that play a crucial role in human health and disease. The research will target species-specific essential genes in bacteria such as Desulfovibrio spp., using advanced gene-editing techniques to reprogram their behavior within synthetic bacterial communities. The ultimate goal is to restore a healthy gut microbiota, potentially offering new therapeutic strategies for gut-related diseases. The successful candidate will employ a combination of genetic engineering methods, multi-omics approaches (including transcriptomics and proteomics), and microbial assays to study pairwise bacterial interactions and anaerobic synthetic consortia. The project is embedded in the BioSysteM research group and may be funded through third-party sources or the DAAD-GSSP program via the Graduate School Life Science Munich (LSM). Applicants should have a strong background in molecular biology and anaerobic cultivation techniques, with additional experience in genetic engineering and multi-omics analysis considered advantageous. The position offers the opportunity to work in a cutting-edge research environment, collaborate with leading scientists, and contribute to high-impact publications. For further details, candidates are encouraged to review recent group publications and contact Prof. Dr. Kirsten Jung. Applications should be submitted via the LSM online portal.