The Biozentrum of the University of Basel is one of the world’s leading life sciences institutes. With 33 groups and 500 employees, we are a dynamic and international research community that has spawned many fundamental discoveries in biology and medicine as well as several Nobel Laureates. Become part of our community!
The research group of Prof. Knut Drescher at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel seeks to appoint a PhD student in physics of bacterial infections, with a focus on using advanced light microscopy and optics for spatial transcriptomics measurements, to start immediately or as per arrangement.
The research group of Knut Drescher (https://drescherlab.org) focuses on understanding physical processes in the development of bacterial communities (called “biofilms”), particularly in the context of human infections. Our studies are based on highly controlled laboratory experiments or on clinical samples. Biofilms are antibiotic-tolerant bacterial communities that are the cause of many chronic and acute infections, but biofilms are also a model system for understanding basic aspects of multicellular organization in living systems. The PhD project will utilize custom microscopy and optical techniques to perform spatial transcriptomics measurements, to investigate bacterial biofilms during infections and during biofilm growth. The exact project is flexible and will be developed together with Knut Drescher, depending on the strengths and interests of the PhD student.
To get an overview of recent projects, take a look at our publications: https://drescherlab.org/publications.html
We are looking for highly motivated and talented PhD students to join our lab. A Master degree in physics, bioengineering, optics or a similar discipline is required. In addition, expertise in biology would be beneficial.
We offer a full-funded PhD position in a highly interactive, multidisciplinary, and international research group within the Biozentrum. Our group spans expertise in physics, molecular microbiology, as well as bioinformatics and the analysis of big datasets. Moreover, the Biozentrum offers excellent internal support from various core facilities with expert staff, and a structured PhD program. Our group embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.
Basel is an international city with people from 150 nations, located on the border where Switzerland, Germany, and France meet. A large number of institutions for biomedical research, with numerous possibilities for training, networking, and career development are located in Basel. Basel provides a high standard of living and a rich and varied cultural atmosphere.
Application deadline: 20 February 2026.
Please note that only applications through the online form will be accepted.
The application should include a brief statement of your scientific interests, your research experience, and your particular interest in this open position. In addition, a CV and the contact information of two references are required.
For any informal enquiries, please contact: knut.drescher@unibas.chThe Biozentrum of the University of Basel is one of the world’s leading life sciences institutes. With 32 groups and 500 employees, we are a dynamic and international research community that has spawned many fundamental discoveries in biology and medicine as well as several Nobel Laureates.
The Biozentrum is establishing the Dietschy Facility for Tissue Science, a new core unit enabling systematic investigation of individual cells within intact tissues. The facility will integrate state-of-the-art methods for spatial transcriptomics, advanced microscopy, volumetric imaging, neuronal activity mapping, and multimodal data analysis, with an initial focus on neuroscience. To build this interdisciplinary platform, we invite applications for three PhD-level Research Specialists: Microscopy and Spatial Transcriptomics Specialist; Image Analysis Specialist (this position); Computational Neuroscience and Data Analysis Specialist. These positions will work closely together and will support a broad user base across the Biozentrum. Become part of our community!
This position will develop and apply computational pipelines to align, segment, and interpret large multimodal imaging datasets, including functional imaging, histology, and spatial transcriptomics. The specialist will enable accurate registration of single cells across modalities over time and development, referencing public brain atlases where applicable.
The Biozentrum provides a highly stimulating collaborative research environment with a world-class infrastructure in a brand-new building, as well as state-of-the-art technology platforms for cutting-edge interdisciplinary research. The position is fully funded and salary is according to institutional guidelines. The position is initially for two years, with an option for extension after positive evaluation.
Basel is a cosmopolitan city with people from 150 nations. Located on the border where three countries meet – Switzerland, Germany and France – it is Europe’s most important life sciences hub. Basel provides a high standard of living and a rich cultural atmosphere.
Your application should include:
Application deadline: March 1, 2026
For any informal enquiries, please contact: alex.schier@unibas.ch
The Biozentrum of the University of Basel is one of the world’s leading life sciences institutes. With 32 groups and 500 employees, we are a dynamic and international research community that has spawned many fundamental discoveries in biology and medicine as well as several Nobel Laureates.
The Biozentrum is establishing the Dietschy Facility for Tissue Science, a new core unit enabling systematic investigation of individual cells within intact tissues. The facility will integrate state-of-the-art methods for spatial transcriptomics, advanced microscopy, volumetric imaging, neuronal activity mapping, and multimodal data analysis, with an initial focus on neuroscience. To build this interdisciplinary platform, we invite applications for three PhD-level Research Specialists: Microscopy and Spatial Transcriptomics Specialist; Image Analysis Specialist; Computational Neuroscience and Data Analysis Specialist (this position). These positions will work closely together and will support a broad user base across the Biozentrum. Become part of our community!
This position will develop and maintain data-processing pipelines for large-scale neuronal and behavioral datasets, including multi-day high-frequency recordings, fluorescence biosensor imaging, and behavioral pose estimation. The specialist will integrate multimodal datasets and apply advanced statistical and machine-learning methods to uncover relationships between gene expression, neuronal activity, and behavior.
The Biozentrum provides a highly stimulating collaborative research environment with a world-class infrastructure in a brand-new building, as well as state-of-the-art technology platforms for cutting-edge interdisciplinary research. The position is fully funded and salary is according to institutional guidelines. The position is initially for two years, with an option for extension after positive evaluation.
Basel is a cosmopolitan city with people from 150 nations. Located on the border where three countries meet – Switzerland, Germany and France – it is Europe’s most important life sciences hub. Basel provides a high standard of living and a rich cultural atmosphere.
Your application should include:
Application deadline: March 1, 2026
For any informal enquiries, please contact: alex.schier@unibas.ch
The Biozentrum of the University of Basel is one of the world’s leading life sciences institutes. With 32 groups and 500 employees, we are a dynamic and international research community that has spawned many fundamental discoveries in biology and medicine as well as several Nobel Laureates.
The Biozentrum is establishing the Dietschy Facility for Tissue Science, a new core unit enabling systematic investigation of individual cells within intact tissues. The facility will integrate state-of-the-art methods for spatial transcriptomics, advanced microscopy, volumetric imaging, neuronal activity mapping, and multimodal data analysis, with an initial focus on neuroscience. To build this interdisciplinary platform, we invite applications for three PhD-level Research Specialists: Microscopy and Spatial Transcriptomics Specialist (this position); Image Analysis Specialist; Computational Neuroscience and Data Analysis Specialist. These positions will work closely together and will support a broad user base across the Biozentrum. Become part of our community!
This position will establish and operate advanced imaging and spatial transcriptomics pipelines for high-resolution molecular profiling in intact tissues. The specialist will develop and apply methods enabling large-volume processing—such as whole brain spatial transcriptomics—and integrate techniques including expansion microscopy and multiplexed FISH.
The Biozentrum provides a highly stimulating collaborative research environment with a world-class infrastructure in a brand-new building, as well as state-of-the-art technology platforms for cutting-edge interdisciplinary research. The position is fully funded and salary is according to institutional guidelines. The position is initially for two years, with an option for extension after positive evaluation.
Basel is a cosmopolitan city with people from 150 nations. Located on the border where three countries meet – Switzerland, Germany and France – it is Europe’s most important life sciences hub. Basel provides a high standard of living and a rich cultural atmosphere.
Your application should include:
Application deadline: March 1, 2026
For any informal enquiries, please contact: alex.schier@unibas.ch
The Biozentrum offers Bachelor Students the opportunity to immerse themselves in real-life science projects. During the "Biozentrum Research Summer 2026" you will spend seven to nine weeks in a Biozentrum Research Group, perform original research under the guidance of experienced scientists and participate in an inspiring scientific and social program. The internship is concluded with a written report on your research progresses. By the end of your time in Basel, you will have the chance to present your results to the Biozentrum community as a speaker of the Research Summer Symposium. The internship is open to Bachelor Students in Biology, Nanosciences, Chemistry, Physics, Computational Sciences and related fields. Please note: the program is only open to students with a Swiss or EU citizenship as well as holders of a Swiss C-permit.