Founded in 1607, Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) is a research university rich in tradition. Inspired by curiosity about the unknown, we enable around 25,000 students and 5,800 employees to advance science for society. Join us in breaking new ground and writing success stories – your own and those of our university.
Support us from 1st of June 2026 in part‑time (65 %) as a
Doctoral Student (m/f/d) in Molecular Infection BiologyThe position is part of the externally funded project "CRYPTOMICS" and is to be filled on a fixed‑term basis in accordance with § 2 WissZeitVG and § 72 HessHG with the opportunity for own academic qualification at the Institute of Veterinary Pathology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The salary is in accordance with the collective labour agreement of the State of Hessen (E 13 TV‑H).
As long as the maximum permissible duration of a fixed‑term contract is not exceeded, you will be employed for a period of 3 years.
The project explores how the intestine responds to infection with Cryptosporidium, a disease‑causing single‑cellular parasite that is a major cause of severe diarrhoeal illness in young children. By combining an innovative neonatal infection model with spatial transcriptomics, single‑cell approaches and functional analyses, the PhD project offers the opportunity to investigate fundamental mechanisms of host–parasite interaction and intestinal disease development in a highly relevant and rapidly evolving field.
Your tasks at a glance- Investigation of host‑parasite interactions during intestinal Cryptosporidium infection
- Application of state‑of‑the‑art methods such as spatial transcriptomics, single‑cell approaches and CRISPR
- Live‑cell time‑lapse and super‑resolution microscopy
- Functional analysis of parasite and host factors involved in infection and pathogenesis
- Participation in scientific publications, conference presentations, and supervision of bachelor and master students
The provision of academic services (including the processing of a research project financed by third‑party funds on a temporary basis) also serves the purpose of academic qualification.
Your qualifications and competences- Completed Master‘s or equivalent university degree in biology, biochemistry, biomedicine, medicine, veterinary medicine, or equivalent
- Practical experience in cell and molecular biology; experience in infection biology, microscopy, transcriptomics and bioinformatics is an advantage
- Willingness to work with animal models and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research
- High degree of motivation, analytical thinking and ability to work both independently and in a team
- Excellent communication skills and proficiency in English
- An exciting and innovative doctoral project in molecular infection biology
- Integration into an open‑minded, collaborative, and highly motivated research team
- Opportunity to work with state‑of‑the‑art methods such as spatial transcriptomics, single‑cell approaches, advanced imaging and functional analyses in infection biology
- Possibility to present your work at national and international conferences
- A varied job with flexible working hours
- Free use of local public transport (LandesTicket Hessen)
- More than 100 training seminars, workshops and e‑learning opportunities per year for personal development, as well as a wide range of health and sports activities
- Remuneration according to TV‑H, company pension scheme, child allowance and special payments
- Good compatibility of family and career (certificate "audit familiengerechte hochschule")
For further information about the project visit the institute website (www.ivp-jlu.org ). If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Prof. Dr. Philipp Olias by e‑mail (philipp.olias ).
JLU welcomes qualified applications regardless of biological and social gender, disability, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, age as well as sexual orientation and identity. The JLU aims for a higher proportion of women in accordance with the women’s promotion plan. We therefore particularly encourage qualified female candidates to apply. JLU is certified as a family‑friendly university. Applications from disabled people of equal aptitude will be given preference.
You want to break new ground with us? Apply via our online form by June 9th, 2026, indicating reference number 220/10. We look forward to receiving your application.
#J-18808-Ljbffr€40000 - €55000 monthly