The DSMZ is an equal opportunity employer and certified by the audit "berufundfamilie". More information on equal opportunities and diversity at our institute is provided here.

The Leibniz Institute DSMZ‑German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany, offers the position of a

Research Associate / PhD candidate (m/f/d)

“Molecular mechanisms of metronidazole resistance in Bacteroides fragilis”

The position is part-time (65%) and initially limited to 3 years. The salary level will be TV‑L 13. The starting date envisioned is as soon as possible.

The position is offered in as part of a joint project with a second PhD candidate in the group of Ap. Prof. Dr. David Leitsch at the Medical University of Vienna.

We aim to investigate the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in Bacteroides fragilis, an important human pathobiont. This project focuses on resistance to metronidazole, which remains relatively rare but is of growing clinical concern. The aim is to characterize metabolic adaptations in resistant clinical isolates and to elucidate the role of Nim proteins and key enzymes in central metabolism. The project seeks to advance our understanding of resistance mechanisms and to identify potential diagnostic markers.

What you offer:

Master's level university degree in the life sciences, or related
Strong interest in biochemistry, mass spectrometry and interdisciplinary work
Team spirit and cooperative work style
Experience with microbiological and molecular biological methods will be a plus
A good command of English

What we offer:

Research opportunities at the forefront of life sciences
Plenty of room for creativity & challenging topics
Access to state-of-the-art Omics methods, including long read DNA sequencing technologies and metabolomics
Access to cell sorting and high throughput cultivation technology
Access to in-house high-performance computing clusters
An interdisciplinary working environment with frequent exchange of experiences
A motivated research team and a pleasant working atmosphere in a scientific environment
Education and training, mentoring programs
A company certified according to audit berufundfamilie®, therefore flexible possibilities to combine work and family life

Is this you?

Then we look forward to receiving your application.

The DSMZ strives to increase the proportion of female scientists and encourage female candidates specifically to apply. Disabled applicants with identical technical and personal qualification will be preferentially selected. In the case of degrees obtained abroad, proof of equivalence with a German degree must be enclosed. For further information, please refer to the website of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).

The DSMZ is an equal opportunity employer, supports balanced work-life career development, and holds the certificate of the audit berufundfamilie®.

For further information and more detailed project descriptions please contact Prof. Dr. Meina Neumann‑Schaal (meina.neumann-schaal(at)dsmz.de). Please send your complete application documents including a CV, motivation letter, copies of certificates, and contact details of two academic referees in a single PDF file with application number 06/26 to bewerbung(at)dsmz.de.

The deadline for this application is May 11th, 2026.

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Leibniz Institut DSMZ - Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH