Doctoral Candidate (PhD student position) / DC8 for MSCA Doctoral Network “Brain Health in Meno[...]

University Hospital of Schleswig Holstein

Organisation/Company University Hospital of Schleswig Holstein Department Institute for Experimental Medicine Research Field Biological sciences Computer science Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Germany Application Deadline 30 Nov 2025 - 18:00 (Europe/Berlin) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Feb 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Reference Number MenoBrain-DC8 Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Institute for Experimental Medicine at University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany offers a PhD position for a doctoral candidate/MSCA fellow for the project: “Metabolic modelling of microbiome-brain-interactions in menopause-associated cognitive impairment. ” The position is part of the EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network MenoBrain “Brain Health in Menopausal Women” with full-time employment for a duration of 3 years, starting in February 2026.

Objective of the project: This project investigates how the gut microbiome shapes cognition and neuroinflammation during menopause, with a strong emphasis on computational modelling. We will reconstruct and simulate microbial metabolic networks involved in hormone biosynthesis, degradation, and reactivation, integrating microbiome, metabolome, and cognitive data from large human cohorts (FoCus, SHIP, TREND) as well as complementary mouse models. By applying systems biology and constraint-based modelling approaches, we aim to capture host–microbiome interactions at a mechanistic level and predict metabolite fluxes relevant to brain health. The project ultimately seeks to provide quantitative insights into the microbiome–hormone–brain axis and identify potential microbiome-based strategies for promoting cognitive health in aging women.

Where to apply

E-mail

Requirements

Research Field: Computer science

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

• Solid programming skills (preferably in Python and R)
• Proven experience in the analysis of large-scale datasets (e.g., NGS, metabolomics)
• Familiarity with statistical and machine learning methods
• Knowledge of constraint-based metabolic modelling (strong advantage)
• Highly motivated, capable of working both independently and collaboratively within a team, and possesses excellent communication skills in English

Languages: ENGLISH Level Excellent

Research Field: Biological sciences / Computer science

Additional Information

• Fully funded MSCA fellowship with network-wide training weeks, summer schools, international conference participation, and interdisciplinary training through secondments (Jena, Helsinki).
• Salary and allowances are provided according to Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) funding rules, including mobility and, if applicable, family allowances.

Eligibility criteria

• Must be in the first four years of research career.
• Must not hold a doctoral degree.
• Must not have resided in Germany or carried out main activity (work or study) there for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately prior to recruitment.

Selection process

• Send a motivation letter, a CV including publications (if available), copies of university degrees and courses (including obtained grades), and names and e‑mail addresses of two scientists who can provide references – all summarized in one PDF – to
• Indicate the DC position you are applying for (DC8).
• Applications that do not meet the profile and/or the above criteria cannot be considered.
• Preferential treatment will be given to applications received before 30 November 2025.

For more information concerning the research project please contact Prof. Dr. Christoph Kaleta (e-mail: , phone: ).

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute University Hospital of Schleswig Holstein Country Germany City Kiel Postal Code 24105 Street Arnold-Heller-Straße 3 Geofield