Biologe (m/w/d)

The University Hospital Bonn (UKB) is one of Germany’s leading university hospitals, combining top-level performance in medicine and research withexcellence in teaching. Each year, more than half a million patients receive inpatient and outpatient care at the UKB. Around 3,500 students study medicine and dentistry here, and over 600 people are trained annually in healthcare professions. With approximately 9,900 employees, the UKB is the third-largest employer in the Bonn/Rhein-Sieg region. In the Focus hospital ranking, the UKB ranksfirst among universityhospitalsin North Rhine-Westphalia andsecond nationwide in terms of case mix index (case severity). In 2024, the UKB raised nearly €100 million in third-party funding for research, development, and teaching. The F.A.Z. Institute has named the UKB “Germany’s Training Champion” and “Germany’s Most Attractive Employer” for the fourth consecutive year.

The arbovirus research group of PD Dr. Beate Kümmerer at the Institute of Virology at the University Hospital Bonn (Germany) is looking for a highly motivated

PhD student (m/f/d)

to join our team and explore the fascinating biology of orthoflavivirus-host interaction in mosquitoes and vertebrates. The PhD position (65% E13 salary according to DFG recommendations), initially limited to three years, is advertisedwithin the framework of the DFG-funded CRC/Transregio 237 “Nucleic Acid Immunity” and is to be filled by January 2027.

The position is offered on a fixed-term basis until December 31, 2029.

Mosquito-borne RNA viruses, such as dengue, yellow fever, and Zika virus, cause severe disease outbreaks worldwide. As climate change drives the spread of mosquito vectors, the regions affected by these viruses continue to expand. Orthoflaviviruses have evolved multiple strategies to evade innate immune recognition, thereby promoting viral replication and pathogenesis. The project aims to elucidate how viral RNA structures and RNA modifications shape innate immune recognition. A particular focus will be the identification of mosquito proteins that recognize viral cap0 RNA and the characterization of viral immune antagonists in both mosquito and vertebrate hosts. We hope to gain mechanistic insights into virus-host interactions that support the development of innovative antiviral therapies and sustainable vector control strategies.

Methods: Molecular biology methods, cell culture and virological methods, RNA-protein and protein-protein interaction studies, gene expression analyses, cellular knock-down, as well as research involving mosquitoes.

Master’s degree in life sciences

Enthusiasm for research in a collaborative environment

Commitment to the research project

Profound knowledge in basic molecular biological methods and cell culture

Experience in virology and/or protein-RNA/protein interaction studies would be ideal

Eligibility, willingness and physical fitness to work in a biosafety lev el (BSL) 3 laboratory

Interest in working with live mosquitoes

Motivation to learn new methods

Fluent oral and written English

A 3-year PhD position (65% TV-L E13) with strong mentoring and integration into a high-profile research network (CRC/Transregio 237)

An interdisciplinary research environment at one of Germany’s top universities

A highly collaborative research team

Access to further education in university and non-university courses

Integration into the Bonn International Graduate School (BIGS) Immunosciences and Infection

Responsible and diverse: A position with plenty of room for creativity and responsibility within a supportive and collegial team

Fair compensation: Pay according to the TV-L collective agreement, including annual bonus and company pension scheme

Family-friendly flexibility: Flexible working time models, access to a place in our company daycare center, and programs supporting employees returning from parental leave

Smart commuting: Excellent connection to the SWB public transport network

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