Doctoral programme outline

The local collaboration of the Saarland University, the University Hospital in Homburg and the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland is aiming get more insight in the human microbiota in health vs disease as base to develop new drugs and therapies. The consortium comprises scientists from different fields, such as medicine, biology, natural products, medicinal chemistry, drug delivery and bioinformatics. Our approaches are to sample and model the microbiota, exploit the microbiota for finding natural producers and modifying the microbiota by specific drugs (e.g. pathoblockers) or treatments (e.g. probiotics). All available PhD projects are described at the TALENTS website (https://talents-gradschool.eu/).

The requirement of interdisciplinarity in our research is reflected by a team of two/three supervisors from diverse disciplines for each PhD student. Regular project meetings, intersectorial or international secondment, scientific and transferable skill courses contribute to a stimulating research environment and tailored training in professional skills.

Candidates must have a master degree (or equivalent) in a relevant life science field (e.g. pharmacy, biology, chemistry, bioinformatics) latest at the start of the contract. They must be First Stage Researcher (R1) and comply with the mobility rule (must not have spent more than 12 months in Germany in the past 3 years).

Fixed-term contract: 3 years with possible extension.

We provide fully funded positions for 3 years with possible extension in an innovative research field. You can profit from our excellent, international and interdisciplinary research environment, state-ofthe-art facilities and structured research training program to prepare you for a career in industrial or academic track.

We are committed to equal opportunity and aim to increase diversity. Disabled persons are given preference in case of equal professional qualification.

All fellows are recruited under an employment contract including social security coverage. Monthly gross salary is 2.840,-€ flat. Semester tuition fee is covered, including free regional public transport.

Saarland University is a campus university with an international reputation for research excellence, particularly in computer science and in the life sciences and nanosciences. Fostering young academic talents and creating ideal conditions for teaching and research are a core part of the university’s mission. Around 17,000 students, studying over one hundred different academic disciplines, are currently enrolled at Saarland University. Saarland University is officially recognized as one of Germany’s family-friendly higher-education institutions.