13 PhD positions in infection biology, immunology, parasitology and evolutionary pathogenomics

The International Max Planck Research School for Infectious Diseases and Immunology (IMPRS-IDI) and the ZIBI Graduate School Berlin (ZIBI) are recruiting up to 13 PhD students in a joint call for the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, the Freie Universität, the Technische Universität and the German Rheumatism Research Centre in Berlin.

We offer:

• outstanding research and training opportunities with access to state-of-the-art facilities
• an excellent scientific network - our faculty members are internationally recognized scientists affiliated with renowned research institutes and universities in Berlin and around the world
• a prestigious graduate school program and structure with flexible curriculum and training courses and lectures on scientific topics as well as technical and complementary skills
• a stimulating international and multi-disciplinary research environment

The following PhD projects are available and will start between May and December 2022:

• Innate immune recognition in the gastrointestinal epithelium – Organoids as host model (Bartfeld lab, IMPRS-IDI)
• The role of ILC3 and of IL-22 for liver regeneration (Diefenbach lab, IMPRS-IDI)
• Deciphering the mechanisms of innate immune responses using Drosophila melanogaster as a model (Iatsenko lab, IMPRS-IDI)
• Within-person evolution of the human microbiome (Key lab, IMPRS-IDI)
• Role of lipids in malaria transmission (Levashina lab, IMPRS-IDI)
• Decoding Toll-like receptor signaling decisions from endosomal membranes (Majer lab, IMPRS-IDI)
• Improving the treatment of fungal infections – screening for antifungal drug boosters (Ralser lab, IMPRS-IDI)
• Visualizing immune cell activation at single molecule resolution (Taylor lab, IMPRS-IDI)
• Locomotion of parasitic nematodes in the gut: movement in viscoelastic mucus intertwined with the metabolic activity of the nematodes (Hartmann / Niesner labs, ZIBI)
• The role of purinergic receptors in antiviral T cell immunity (Löhning lab, ZIBI)
• Defining the forces exerted by Giardia attachment and the consequences for the intestinal epithelial barrier (Rausch lab, ZIBI)
• Deciphering the role of mesenteric fat in intestinal inflammation (Siegmund/ Weidinger labs, ZIBI)

We are looking for:

• creative, highly motivated and talented candidates of all nationalities and backgrounds who are truly committed to research
• applicants must have an excellent M.Sc. or equivalent degree
• candidates with a strong background in biophysics, biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, infection biology, immunology, microbiology, genetics, genomics, evolutionary biology, medical biotechnology, bioinformatics or closely related disciplines
• please see the project descriptions on our websites for particular requirements

Interested in joining us?
To apply, please submit your application via our online application platform until December 29^th 2021.

For more information on the projects and application process, please check the IMPRS-IDI and ZIBI Graduate school pages.

Contact: IMPRS-IDI Coordination Office (imprs-office@mpiib-berlin.mpg.de)