The research group Microbiology/Biotechnology (Prof. Wohlleben/Dr. Weber) at the Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine Tübingen is looking for a PhD student.

Our groups are working on the interface of bioinformatics and functional genomics of secondary metabolite production. Currently, we have a PhD position available, starting as soon as possible:

S. collinus is the producer of the antibiotic kirromycin. Kirromycin binds to the rare target elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) and thereby inhibits bacterial protein biosynthesis. In our recent work we have cloned and characterized the kirromycin biosynthetic gene cluster. ^[1] But so far, nothing is known on the transcriptional regulation of kirromycin production.

In this BMBF funded PhD work, the successful candidate will develop RNA isolation protocols, carry out transcriptomics by transcriptome sequencing and evaluates the transcriptomics data. His/her data will also be used in the generation of a metabolic model of S. collinus that is currently generated by a industrial collaboration partner. Based on this model, the candidate will engineer the producer strain to achieve improved kirromycin production.

Requirements: Diploma/masters degree in biology, biochemistry or related fields. Applicants should have experience in molecular techniques and good bioinformatics skills for data evaluation. They should be motivated, have good communication skills and capable of working in an interdisciplinary team environment.

Please send your applications, preferably by Email to

Dr. Tilmann Weber

Interfakultäres Institut für Mikrobiologie und Infektionsmedizin

Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen

Auf der Morgenstelle 28

72076 Tübingen

Phone: +49 7071 29-78841

Email: <link>tilmann.weber@biotech.uni-tuebingen.de

Tübingen University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages female scientists and scientists with disabilities to apply.

[1] a: E. M. Musiol, et al., Chem.Biol. 2011, 18, 438-444; b: M. Pavlidou, et al., FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 2011, 319, 26-33; c: K. J. Laiple, et al., J.Antibiot. 2009, 62, 465-468; d: T. Weber, et al., Chem.Biol. 2008, 15, 175-188; e: T. Weber, et al., J.Biotechnol. 2003, 106, 221-232.