2 PhD student positions
The University of Bonn is an international research university offering a broad range of subjects. With a 200-year history, some 31,500 students, more than 6,000 employees and an outstanding reputation in Germany and abroad, the University of Bonn is one of the leading universities in Germany and has been awarded the status of a University of Excellence.
At the Life and Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES) of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the University of Bonn
two DFG-funded PhD student positions (m/f/d)
(part-time, 65%)
are to be filled on a fixed-term 3-year contract in accordance with § 2 (1) WissZeitVG starting at the earliest possible date.
Project description
The Biochemistry & Cell Biology of Lipids Group headed by Prof. Dr. Christoph Thiele uses novel tracing and analytical methods to study lipid biology at the highest detail. The open positions will support projects investigating the in vivo lipid metabolism at the organ level. State-of-the-art alkyne lipid tracers, superior CLiCK reaction technology and modern mass spectrometry lipidomics will be applied by the applicants (Nature Methods PMID-316116920; Nature Metabolism PMID-37012495; Cell Metabolism PMID-41519132).
Funded through the DFG cluster of excellence “ImmunoSensation3” one project headed by Prof. Dr. C. Thiele will investigate neutral lipid cycling in various organs and under different conditions. A second DFG funded project headed by PD Dr. L. Kuerschner will investigate lipid transit across the blood-brain-barrier.
Qualification profile
Required skills
- enthusiasm for learning and a cooperative work attitude are a must,
- strong interest in biochemistry and cell biology or chemical biology,
- experience in biochemical and analytical methods, cell culture techniques, and/or animal handling is desirable,
- experience in bioinformatics or computational biology is beneficial,
- excellent communication skills,
- highly motivated to conduct interdisciplinary research,
- very good command of English.
Your profile:
- a master degree in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, pharmacy, or its subdisciplines biomedicine, chemical biology and molecular (cell) biology,
- motivated, flexible, team oriented.
We offer:
- supportive mentoring,
- embedding in the graduate school of the cluster of excellence or in neuroscience,
- opportunity to conduct your PhD thesis,
- an excellently equipped workspace and vibrant scientific environment,
- an international team of scientists,
- salary according to the German salary scale TV-L E13 (65%),
- participation in the university-wide pension system (VBL),
- access to the extensive university sports program,
- Day care center.
The University of Bonn promotes an open, respectful, and non-discriminatory academic culture and is actively committed to equal opportunity and family friendliness. We aim to eliminate structural disadvantages and to strengthen diversity in research, teaching, and administration. Therefore, we welcome all applications, regardless of ethnic or social background, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, disability, or age.
Applications from women and people with a documented severe disability (or equivalent status) will be given preferential consideration in accordance with the State Equality Act (LGG) NRW and Social Code (SGB) IX.
If you are interested in (filling) the position, please send your complete application documents combined as a single PDF (CV including diploma certificates/transcripts, statement of motivation, list of publications if available, address for one reference) by June 26, 2026 to hsievert@uni-bonn.de with the application code PhD_2026/205_[YourLastName].
For further information concerning our research group, please visit our website at
http://www.limes-institut-bonn.de/en/research/research-departments/unit-3/thiele-lab/thiele-lab-home/ or reach out using above email address.