Universität Würzburg
97080 Würzburg - Deutschland
Biologe/Biologin
Arbeit
Vollzeit
ab 05.03.2026
Beschreibung
The Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg ranks among Germany's top research universities with outstanding expertise in the life sciences. At the Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, cutting-edge research explores infection biology and microbiology through innovative 3D cell culture models and advanced imaging techniques that reveal host-pathogen interactions at the molecular level.
JULIUS-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITÄT WÜRZBURG, GERMANY
Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology
PhD Student posit... weiter lesen
JULIUS-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITÄT WÜRZBURG, GERMANY
Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology
PhD Student posit... weiter lesen
The Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg ranks among Germany's top research universities with outstanding expertise in the life sciences. At the Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, cutting-edge research explores infection biology and microbiology through innovative 3D cell culture models and advanced imaging techniques that reveal host-pathogen interactions at the molecular level.
JULIUS-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITÄT WÜRZBURG, GERMANY
Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology
PhD Student position (f/m/d)
"Deciphering the Role of Respiratory Mucus in Neisseria meningitidis - Host Interactions"
Applications are invited for a PhD student position in the research group of Prof. Dr. Alexandra Schubert-Unkmeir at the Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg. We are a dynamic team fostering an inclusive work environment and addressing fundamental questions regarding Neisseria meningitidis interactions with the respiratory mucus layer.
The respiratory mucus layer represents a key first barrier against inhaled pathogens and critically influences their infectivity and transmission. Neisseria meningitidis is a frequent asymptomatic colonizer of the human nasopharynx that must traverse this barrier to transition from a commensal organism to an invasive pathogen. While epithelial interactions are well studied, the mechanisms enabling meningococci to penetrate the mucus layer remain poorly understood.
This PhD project aims to elucidate how N. meningitidis overcomes the nasopharyngeal mucus barrier. Using an established Calu-3 air-liquid interface (ALI) model that produces a physiologically relevant 10-12 µm thick mucus layer, we will investigate the role of temperature-regulated bacterial virulence factors in mucus transmigration. In addition, mucins will be isolated and purified for downstream analyses, and the global bacterial transcriptional response will be characterized by RNA sequencing.
This interdisciplinary project combines cell biology, microbiology, and transcriptomics and offers excellent training in mucosal infection biology. The PhD student will work on an interdisciplinary project employing a wide range of technologies including:
Generation of isogenic mutants and complementation strains for temperatureregulated virulence factors
Transmigration assays and quantitative imaging (confocal/SIM microscopy) in ALI models
Extraction/purification of mucus mucins (CsCl density gradient centrifugation)
RNA-Seq (library preparation, bioinformatics in collaboration with Prof. A. Westermann, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg)
Biofilm analyses (COMSTAT) and qPCR validation
Master's degree in Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Medicine or related fields (good grade)
Strong interest in host-pathogen interactions and mucus biology
Experience in cell culture, cloning, microscopy, qPCR or RNA-Seq advantageous
Strong written and spoken English-language communication skills; team player with independent working style
Willingness to work with human-pathogenic bacteria (BSL-2 laboratory)
Cutting-edge research with state-of-the-art facilities (BSL-2 labs, confocal/SIM microscopes, ultracentrifuges)
Close supervision and collaborations within the Biocenter network at the University of Wuerzburg (Prof. Westermann, Prof. Sauer)
Support for conference attendance and transferable skills training
Flexible working hours and family-friendly policies
The salary will be based on the pay scale for the public sector in Germany (TV-L E13, 65%, limited to 3 years)
JULIUS-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITÄT WÜRZBURG, GERMANY
Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology
PhD Student position (f/m/d)
"Deciphering the Role of Respiratory Mucus in Neisseria meningitidis - Host Interactions"
Applications are invited for a PhD student position in the research group of Prof. Dr. Alexandra Schubert-Unkmeir at the Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg. We are a dynamic team fostering an inclusive work environment and addressing fundamental questions regarding Neisseria meningitidis interactions with the respiratory mucus layer.
The respiratory mucus layer represents a key first barrier against inhaled pathogens and critically influences their infectivity and transmission. Neisseria meningitidis is a frequent asymptomatic colonizer of the human nasopharynx that must traverse this barrier to transition from a commensal organism to an invasive pathogen. While epithelial interactions are well studied, the mechanisms enabling meningococci to penetrate the mucus layer remain poorly understood.
This PhD project aims to elucidate how N. meningitidis overcomes the nasopharyngeal mucus barrier. Using an established Calu-3 air-liquid interface (ALI) model that produces a physiologically relevant 10-12 µm thick mucus layer, we will investigate the role of temperature-regulated bacterial virulence factors in mucus transmigration. In addition, mucins will be isolated and purified for downstream analyses, and the global bacterial transcriptional response will be characterized by RNA sequencing.
This interdisciplinary project combines cell biology, microbiology, and transcriptomics and offers excellent training in mucosal infection biology. The PhD student will work on an interdisciplinary project employing a wide range of technologies including:
Generation of isogenic mutants and complementation strains for temperatureregulated virulence factors
Transmigration assays and quantitative imaging (confocal/SIM microscopy) in ALI models
Extraction/purification of mucus mucins (CsCl density gradient centrifugation)
RNA-Seq (library preparation, bioinformatics in collaboration with Prof. A. Westermann, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg)
Biofilm analyses (COMSTAT) and qPCR validation
Master's degree in Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Medicine or related fields (good grade)
Strong interest in host-pathogen interactions and mucus biology
Experience in cell culture, cloning, microscopy, qPCR or RNA-Seq advantageous
Strong written and spoken English-language communication skills; team player with independent working style
Willingness to work with human-pathogenic bacteria (BSL-2 laboratory)
Cutting-edge research with state-of-the-art facilities (BSL-2 labs, confocal/SIM microscopes, ultracentrifuges)
Close supervision and collaborations within the Biocenter network at the University of Wuerzburg (Prof. Westermann, Prof. Sauer)
Support for conference attendance and transferable skills training
Flexible working hours and family-friendly policies
The salary will be based on the pay scale for the public sector in Germany (TV-L E13, 65%, limited to 3 years)
Ref-Nr.: 9732900
Aktualisiert:
05.03.2026
Quelle: Bundesagentur für Arbeit
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Ob die Stelle noch verfügbar ist und weitere Informationen findest du direkt auf der Website der Bundesagentur für Arbeit. Bitte beachte: OPROMA ist nicht der Anbieter dieser Stelle und kann keine Auskünfte geben.
weitere Infos Rechtliche Hinweise zur Nutzung
Ob die Stelle noch verfügbar ist und weitere Informationen findest du direkt auf der Website der Bundesagentur für Arbeit. Bitte beachte: OPROMA ist nicht der Anbieter dieser Stelle und kann keine Auskünfte geben.
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