PhD candidate in MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY (m/f/x)

Institution Faculty of Biology - Department of Microbiology 
Remuneration group TV-L E13 
Full-time / Part-time Part-time (65%) 
Start date 01.09.2026, limited to 3 and 1/2 years (with the aim of completing the doctorate)

About us:

The Faculty of Biology at LMU Munich combines cutting-edge research with major research collaborations and excellent programs for training and mentoring junior scientists.

The successful candidate will join the team of Prof. Dr. Kirsten Jung in the Department of Microbiology at the Faculty of Biology, LMU Munich. The Faculty of Biology is located in the Biocenter on the High-Tech Campus Martinsried, together with other Life Science departments of LMU, the Max-Planck-Society and the Helmholtz-Center Munich. Core facilities for Genomics, Bioanalytics, Electron Microscopy and Light Microscopy, Proteomics and Metabolomics are available within the Faculty of Biology.

We are looking for you:

PhD candidate in MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY (m/f/x)

in Martinsried

Your tasks and responsibilities:

Project: “The role of RNA modifications in the stress response of bacteria”

RNA modifications are important regulators of physiological processes in eukaryotes, but have not yet been studied in detail in prokaryotes.

It will be the task of the doctoral researcher to elucidate the physiological significance of rRNA, tRNA and mRNA modifications in an obligate anaerobic bacterium under various stress conditions using systemic approaches, such as Direct RNA-sequencing using Nanopore technology, Ribo-Seq and proteomics.

Work on this topic requires a combination of biochemical (RNA biochemistry) and microbiological techniques.

The project is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and embedded in the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1309 “Chemical Biology of Epigenetic Modifications”.

Your qualifications:

The candidate should have an MSc. (or equivalent) in Life Sciences (Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology). The candidate should be highly motivated and determined and have a strong interest in RNA biochemistry and the application of interdisciplinary approaches. Experience in RNA biochemical methods and bioinformatics are required.

Benefits:

• Doctoral researcher position for 3 and half years (with the aim of completing the doctorate)
• Salary according to the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the states (TV-L E13, 65%)
• The Integrated Research Training Group 1309 (IRTG) provides a tailor-made training environment for doctoral researchers active in the CRC on "Chemical Biology of Epigenetic Modifications”
• Interdisciplinary research project
• Supportive and stimulating research environment with excellent lab facilities
• Supportive network of mentors and co-supervisors
• Conferences and lab exchanges
• Working conditions in the lab allow a good work-life balance. We offer flexible working hours and are generally a family-friendly lab.
• In addition, you can benefit from the various LMU corporate benefits

People with disabilities who are equally as qualified as other applicants will receive preferential treatment.

Contact:

Please send your complete application in English as a single PDF (CV, motivation statement and research experience, record of study, certificates and contact information of two referees) to Prof. Dr. Kirsten Jung until June 15, 2026.

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