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 project, titled "A novel role of human p11-dependent EGFR in regulating phagosome maturation and antifungal defence," focuses on understanding how the human protein p11 (S100A10) and EGFR regulate phagosome maturation in immune cells, impacting antifungal responses. The research integrates advanced cell biology, immunology, infection biology, and signal transduction to study host–pathogen interactions at the molecular level. Supervision is provided by Dr. Leijie Jia, Prof. Axel Brakhage, Dr. Franziska Schmidt, and Prof. Marc Thilo Figge, all affiliated with Leibniz-HKI. The successful candidate will join the Research Group Phagosome Biology and Engineering and benefit from a highly interdisciplinary and international research environment, with access to cutting-edge facilities and structured doctoral training through ILRS 2.0. The program collaborates closely with Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, offering a vibrant scientific network and a broad selection of methods courses and transferable skills workshops. Applicants should hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in cell biology, microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, or related fields. Those about to complete their degree are also welcome to apply. Required skills include a strong experimental background in cell culture, molecular biology, microbiology, and/or biochemistry. Experience with mouse experiments is a plus. Candidates must be able to work in an international, interdisciplinary team and have excellent English communication skills. The position is fully funded for four years, with salary according to the German TV-L scale for public service employees. The application deadline is December 13, 2025. Applications should be submitted in English via the Leibniz-HKI online application system and must include a cover letter, CV, transcript/certificate, and addresses of three referees. Selected candidates will be invited to a recruitment meeting in Jena in early 2026. For more information about the ILRS 2.0 program and the application process, visit the provided links. The Leibniz-HKI is committed to diversity and inclusion, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds. This opportunity is ideal for candidates interested in infection biology, cell biology, immunology, and host-pathogen interactions, seeking to advance their research skills in a top-tier international doctoral program.

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, 'Advancing image quantification of organ-on-chip-based experiments within JIPipe,' integrates bioimage analysis, artificial intelligence, and organ-on-chip models to push the boundaries of in vitro biology and computational image processing. As a doctoral researcher, you will further develop JIPipe, a graphical image pipeline, to implement location-linked deconvolution and integrate AI approaches such as large language models for goal-oriented learning. The project is hosted in the Applied Systems Biology research group led by Prof. Marc Thilo Figge and jointly supervised by Dr. Mark Gresnigt and Dr. Alexander Mosig. You will work in a highly interdisciplinary and international team, leveraging cutting-edge computational tools (Java, AI, image processing) in a programming-free, graphical environment that enables reproducible and shareable workflows. The position is part of a structured four-year doctoral program, offering access to world-class research facilities, integration into the vibrant scientific network of the Beutenberg Campus, and a highly communicative atmosphere. The salary is paid according to the German TV-L agreement for public service employees. The program promotes diversity and inclusion, welcoming candidates from all backgrounds. Applicants should hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) in bioimage analysis, bioinformatics, computer vision, physics, or related fields. Candidates nearing completion of their degree are also encouraged to apply. Required skills include experience in automated image processing and AI approaches, strong programming skills in Java, C++, or Python, and excellent communication skills in English. The ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team is essential. To apply, submit a complete application in English via the Leibniz-HKI online application system, including a cover letter, CV, transcript/certificate, and the 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 official job portal and ILRS 2.0 program pages. Keywords: bioimage analysis, artificial intelligence, organ-on-chip, JIPipe, image quantification, computational biology, Java, image processing, in vitro biology, systems biology.