For our location in Hamburg we are seeking:

Four PhD Positions in Molecular / Cell / Structural Infection Biology at the Centre for Structural Systems Biology

Limited: 3 years | Starting date: 01.04.2025 | ID: FSDO020/2024 | Deadline: 20.11.2024 | Full-time/Part-time

DESY, with more than 2900 employees at its two locations in Hamburg and Zeuthen, is one of the world's leading research centres. Its research focuses on decoding the structure and function of matter, from the smallest particles of the universe to the building blocks of life. In this way, DESY contributes to solving the major questions and urgent challenges facing science, society and industry. With its ultramodern research infrastructure, its interdisciplinary research platforms and its international networks, DESY offers a highly attractive working environment in the fields of science, technology and administration as well as for the education of highly qualified young scientists.

The Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) invites applications for four PhD positions, starting on 1st of April, 2025. These positions offer a salary at 65% of grade 13 with a three-year term, including full social security and healthcare benefits. Each position is affiliated with one of CSSB’s nine partner institutions, including DESY, and will be based at CSSB in Hamburg.

CSSB specializes in molecular structural infection biology, utilizing and developing cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, structural biology, and multi-modal imaging. The research Centre is driven by twelve interdisciplinary research groups and four complementary core facilities forming its central hub. The facilities are dedicated to key areas such as protein production and characterization, alongside cutting-edge imaging, including electron cryo-microscopy and advanced fluorescent microscopy technologies. Together, our researchers focus on understanding key molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in infectious diseases. Areas of investigation include how pathogens evade host defences and resist pharmacological interventions (e.g., biofilm formation), and how pathogens enter and proliferate in clinically relevant cells. By fostering collaborative research, CSSB and its partners drive innovations in increasingly complex research fields such as multicellular infection models, the study of clinical samples, and super- and co-infection processes.

Further key details on the available projects and their scope can be found here (CSSB-TAGIN: Teams against infections).