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 student in molecular microbiology, biochemistry and protein design, with a focus on the development of biosensors for antibiotics. The position is available immediately or by mutual agreement.
As part of the Swiss National Competence Center in Research (NCCR) “AntiResist”, we develop new approaches to overcome the global antibiotic resistance crisis. To understand why antibiotics sometimes fail to treat bacterial infections, it is critical to measure the local concentration of antibiotics at the site of infection. We recently developed the first allosteric biosensors for antibiotics, which enabled us to perform real-time measurements of antibiotic concentrations with high spatial and temporal resolution at the site of bacterial infections (bioRxiv manuscript 2026). However, using the method we used in our previous study, we could only obtain biosensors for two classes of antibiotics. We now aim to extend this breakthrough by developing biosensors for all major classes of antibiotics using protein design and protein engineering. This project combines computational and experimental approaches to design biosensor candidates and transform them into fully functional biosensors in bacterial cells. Additionally, we will apply the newly developed biosensors for measuring antibiotic concentration dynamics inside bacterial cells in infection biology assays, ranging from biofilm treatment to stem-cell-derived organoids and bioengineered tissue infection systems.
To get an overview of recent projects, take a look at our publications: https://drescherlab.org/publications.html
We are looking for a highly motivated and talented PhD student to join our lab. Required qualification: A Master's degree with a research thesis in molecular microbiology, protein biochemistry, protein design, or a discipline that is related to the proposed PhD project.
We offer a fully funded PhD position in a highly interactive, multidisciplinary, and international research group at the Biozentrum. Our group brings together expertise in molecular microbiology, biophysics, as well as bioinformatics and the analysis of large datasets. Additionally, the PhD student will be part of the Swiss-wide NCCR AntiResist consortium, with lots of opportunities for scientific exchange with colleagues in related fields. Moreover, the Biozentrum offers excellent 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 over 150 countries, located on the border where Switzerland, Germany, and France meet. Basel is home to numerous biomedical research institutions, offering outstanding opportunities for training, networking, and career development. Basel provides a high standard of living and a rich and varied cultural atmosphere.
Application deadline: 20 August 2026.
Please note that only applications through the online form will be accepted.
The application form requires a brief statement of 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 in Switzerland invites applications for the Endress endowed professorship in Climate Biophysics, at either a tenure-track Assistant or tenured Associate Professor level. We encourage applications from candidates who explore fundamental molecular questions in climate-relevant fields, including biogeochemical cycles (e.g., carbon, nitrogen), bioenergetic energy conversion (e.g., photosynthesis, chemosynthesis), and the adaptation to environmental change. This call is open to researchers using various approaches, including molecular biology, microbiology, biophysics, structural biology, genomics, computational biology, synthetic biology, and environmental biology.
The successful candidate will have an outstanding research record and strong communication skills, will complement and enhance the research portfolio of the Biozentrum as well as the broader Basel Life Sciences Community, and will contribute to teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level.
We offer a very generous research endowment and state-of-the art core facilities. The Biozentrum consists of 30 research groups and 250 postdoctoral fellows and graduate students from more than 50 countries researching in fields ranging from structural, computational, cellular and developmental biology to microbiology and neuroscience. The working language in the Biozentrum is English. Basel is the home of a vibrant international life sciences community and provides a high standard of living and a superb cultural and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Applications (including a short motivation letter, CV, a list of publications, and a two-page summary of your current and future research) should be addressed to Prof. Dr. Heiko Schuldt, Dean of the Faculty of Science and submitted online as one single PDF. During online submission applicants are asked to request three referees to submit confidential letters of reference.
Requests for further information may be addressed to Prof. Dr. Alex Schier (alex.schier@unibas.ch). If your question is about the online application process, please contact the Office of the Dean (dekanat-philnat@unibas.ch).
The deadline for receipt of applications is September 5, 2026. The University of Basel is an equal opportunity and family-friendly employer committed to excellence through diversity. We encourage applications from women and underrepresented groups.
Human tissue models to predict antibiotic efficacy against non-tuberculous mycobacteria
The Biozentrum of the University of Basel is a leading life science institutes worldwide, dedicated to understanding the fundamental principles of biology. The Department of Biomedicine (DBM), a joint initiative of the University of Basel and the University Hospitals Basel, unites basic and clinical research to advance the understanding of human disease. Both institutions are part of the NCCR AntiResist, a Swiss-wide research consortium developing new strategies against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
The position
We are looking for an ambitious postdoctoral researcher to study antibiotic efficacy against non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in a physiologically relevant human airway infection model. The position is shared between the Boeck Lab (DBM) and the Jenal Lab (Biozentrum), is embedded in the NCCR AntiResist research network, and includes a close collaboration with A&J Science, a company advancing new antibacterial compounds.
The project
Pulmonary NTM infections are increasing worldwide and remain notoriously difficult to cure. How NTM colonise and persist in human airways and how they respond to antibiotics in tissue remains poorly understood. The Jenal Lab has established a fully differentiated air-liquid interface (ALI) human airway model and used it to dissect how Pseudomonas aeruginosa breaches the respiratory barrier (Nature Microbiology 2024). The Boeck Lab has developed large-scale imaging approaches to measure antibiotic killing dynamics across NTM strains and drugs, linking drug tolerance to bacterial genotypes and clinical outcome (Nature Microbiology 2026). This project brings both platforms together to establish NTM infection in human airway tissues and build a tissue-based drug efficacy platform for antimycobacterial compounds.
Your role
You will establish NTM infection in human ALI airway epithelium and characterise infection dynamics. Building on this, you will develop and validate a tissue-based antibiotic efficacy platform, measuring bacterial growth and killing dynamics, intracellular drug activity, and tissue integrity during treatment. You will test novel antimicrobial compounds alongside standard-of-care antibiotics and compare tissue-based efficacy with conventional drug testing. You will lead the project scientifically and work at the interface of two academic labs and an industry partner.
Your profile
We are looking for a candidate with a strong track record in infection biology.
· PhD in infection biology, microbiology, cell biology, or a related discipline
· Experience with microbiology techniques, such as bacterial culture, genetic manipulation, and imaging
· Experience with mammalian cell culture (organoid or ALI culture is particularly valuable)
· Ability to design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments independently
· Strong motivation, scientific curiosity, and drive
· Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary consortium
What we offer
· A fully funded 2-year postdoctoral position within the NCCR AntiResist
· Access to cutting-edge technologies, such as high-content imaging and confocal microscopy
· An established human airway infection platform ready for adaptation to NTM
· Close interaction with drug development partners
· A vibrant, international, and collaborative research environment at the University of Basel
· Support for independent funding applications and career development
· Competitive salary and excellent quality of life in Basel, Switzerland
How to apply
Please upload a single PDF including a motivation letter, a CV, academic transcripts, contact details of at least two references, and a brief description of a project you would be excited to pursue. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.