The UFZ

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) with its 1,100 employees has gained an excellent reputation as an international competence centre for environmental sciences. We are part of the largest scientific organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz association. Our mission: Our research seeks to find a balance between social development and the long-term protection of our natural resources.

The job

In the Department of Molecular Toxicology in Leipzig, we invite applications for a PhD Position (f/m/x) to study the metabolic interaction within a microbiome model system, focusing on the role of transporters by cultivation and multi-omics approaches. The project is funded within the DFG Priority Program 2474 on Novel Functions within the Microbiome. It will be conducted in close cooperation with our partner C. Kaleta in Kiel, who is an expert in metabolic modelling.

Your tasks

• You will cultivate the simplified human gut microbiome model (SIHUMIx) in a continuous culture and analyse the species-specific secretion and uptake of metabolites by mass-spectrometry-based metabolomics.
• You will detect the presence of transporters and metabolic enzymes by mass-spectrometry-based metaproteomics and meta-transcriptomics, and integrate multi-omics information to detect associations between metabolism and transporter abundance.
• You will develop mutants and CRISPR/Cas approaches to validate the interdependency of metabolic pathways and transporters in the SIHUMIx consortium.
• You will cooperate with our partner in the project to validate genome-based metabolic models. You present results at international conferences and prepare publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• You present results at international conferences and prepare publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

We offer

• Excellent supervision and optimal professional and interdisciplinary qualification through our HIGRADE graduate programme
• The freedom to master even the most demanding challenges between basic research and practical application
• The opportunity to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a wide range of perspectives
• Firstclass integration into national and international research networks to work together on global challenges
• Excellent research infrastructure and research data management to optimally support your work
• A wide range of options for balancing care responsibilities and work through our family office
• Competent support and advice for international colleagues arriving at the UFZ from the ‘International Office’
• Special annual payment, capital-forming benefits and subsidised Deutschland-Job-Ticket
• A workplace in a vibrant region with a high life quality and social and cultural diversity

Your profile

• Master's, Diploma or equivalent degree in biological or biochemistry, or related areas
• Experience in analytical chemistry
• Skills in bioinformatics with a focus on statistical tools for analysing omics data
• Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary team or similar
• Proficiency in scientific English (written and spoken)
• Willingness to cooperate on metabolic modelling with colleagues in the group of Christoph Kaleta in Kiel

Furthermore, candidates have to fully comply with the following essential eligibility criteria:

• Academic Qualification: The applicant must hold a relevant master’s degree or equivalent and must have obtained the degree or equivalent by the DC start date
• To be recruited to the network as a doctoral candidate, applicants must not already be in possession of a doctoral degree (i.e. a Ph.D. degree)

The job

In the Department of Molecular Toxicology in Leipzig, we invite applications for a PhD Position (f/m/x) to study the metabolic interaction within a microbiome model system, focusing on the role of transporters by cultivation and multi-omics approaches. The project is funded within the DFG Priority Program 2474 on Novel Functions within the Microbiome. It will be conducted in close cooperation with our partner C. Kaleta in Kiel, who is an expert in metabolic modelling.

Place of work

Leipzig

Working time

65% (25,35h/week)

Contract limitations

limited contract / 3 years

Salary

Remuneration according to the TVöD public-sector up to pay grade 13 including attractive public-sector social security benefits.

Contact

Your contact for any questions you may have about the job:
Prof. Dr. Martin von Bergen
martin.vonbergen@ufz.de

Your application

Please submit your application via our online portal with your cover letter, CV (please omit your photo, age, or marital status) and relevant attachments.

Diversity and Inclusion

The UFZ has a strong commitment to diversity and actively supports equal opportunities for all employees regardless of their origin, religion, ideology, disability, age or sexual identity.
We look forward to applications from people who are open-minded and enjoy working in diverse teams.

Application deadline: 28.11.2025