The Biozentrum of the University of Basel is one of the world’s leading life sciences institutes. With 33 research 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. Join our community!
The research group of Prof. Marek Basler seeks to appoint a highly motivated PhD student in molecular microbiology, protein biochemistry and bacterial cell biology. The project focuses on unraveling the molecular mechanisms that control the assembly and function of the Type 6 secretion system.
The bacterial Type 6 secretion system (T6SS) is one of the largest dynamic assemblies in Gram-negative bacteria. It shares evolutionary origins with contractile phage tails and other extracellular contractile protein translocation nanomachines. Importantly, the unique mode of action of T6SS allows bacteria to deliver folded proteins across membranes of neighboring bacterial or eukaryotic cells (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-025-01256-w). Subcellular localization of T6SS assembly and timing of its firing is tightly regulated in various bacteria:
Despite these breakthroughs, we still lack a fundamental mechanistic understanding of how precise timing and spatial localization are achieved, and the specific signals that trigger T6SS assembly remain unknown.
Learn more about our recent research: Basler Lab Group Overview and Google ScholarPlease submit your application exclusively via our Online Application Form.
Required Materials:
Review of applications will start in September and proceed until the position is filled.
For informal inquiries, feel free to contact Prof. Marek Basler at: marek.basler@unibas.ch
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 7, 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.