PhD Student (d/f/m) Metabolic Engineering
Start date
01.05.2026
Application deadline
13.03.2026
Jobcode
6622
Salary group
E13
Working at Charité
The Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin in the heart of Berlin is one of the largest and most research-intensive medical faculties in Europe. In the synthetic metabolism group at the Institute of Biochemistry, bacterial strains are developed to generate sustainable processes for the bioeconomy of the future. This involves the targeted rewiring of microbial metabolism to develop versatile metabolite sensor strains and the construction of growth-coupled bioproduction pathways.
We are seeking three PhD students for the EU-funded project “CarboNcare”. The project brings together a multidisciplinary team of scientists and experts from across Europe and aims to develop a carbon-efficient conversion of methanol into bioproducts.
Overview of the position
Your tasks within the "CarboNcare" project include:
- Development of bacterial platform strains capable of methanol utilization
- Generation and optimization of metabolite sensor strains
- Integration of methanol utilization into growth-coupled bioproduction pathways
You are employed as a research assistant: According to §110 (4) sentence 3, the Berlin Higher Education Act (BerlHG) provides for a reasonable amount of time within working hours for research assistants to pursue their own further scientific qualification.
What we are looking for
The successful candidate will be able to:
- work independently in a laboratory setting, including planning and conducting experiments
- work effectively in a large, multidisciplinary team of engineers, chemists, and biologists
- apply metabolic engineering methods (deletions, overexpression, genome editing, adaptive laboratory evolution)
- communicate scientific results, both in written and oral formats
- author peer-reviewed publications
A profound understanding of the central metabolic reactions, biochemical processes and molecular mechanisms is of great importance for this task. Therefore, we are looking for qualified candidates with experience in the fields of C1-assimilation, growth-coupling, molecular biology, microbiology, bioproduction, synthetic biology, and metabolic engineering. A university degree/Master's degree in natural sciences, with a focus on biotechnology and/or synthetic biology, is required.
Charité offers you
- Highly professional work environment in motivated and interdisciplinary teams
- A future-oriented, varied and demanding position with a high grade of personal responsibility and personal decision making opportunities
- Special offers in the areas of shopping, travel and sports
- Additional pension program with a company wide pension scheme
- Certification as a family friendly university and company since 2007 - You may find further information here
Information regarding the position
- Paygrade E13 according to TVöD VKA-K. Your job grade depends on your job qualification whereas the experience level depends on the number of working years. The yearly gross salary is hereby provided based on a full time position excluding yearly bonus and additional pay. You may find further information here
- The working hours are planned at 25.03 hours per week (65%)
- The position is limited for 36 month, as it is tied to the project duration
- 30 days of paid vacation per year
- The application period ends on: 13.03.2026
- Position ID: 6622
Application
Everyone is welcome at the Charité, regardless of age, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, ethnic or social background. We are committed to equal opportunities and inclusion.
Apply using our online tool and become part of the Charité.
Apply nowIf you have questions, please contact:
Dr. Steffen Lindner-Mehlich
E-mail: steffen.lindner@charite.de
More information
Data protection information
The Charité would like to point out that personal data is stored and processed at various locations at the Charité premises (e.g. specialty department, personnel representatives, HR department) as part of and for the purposes of the application process. Furthermore, the data may be transferred or processed within the group and to external bodies (e.g. authorities) to protect legitimate interests. By submitting your application, you agree to our data protection policy and terms of use for application procedures, which you can find here.
Additional information
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin makes its personnel decisions based on suitability, ability and professional performance. The Charité aims to increase the proportion of women in management positions and therefore strongly encourages women to apply. Women with equivalent qualifications will be given priority within the scope of legal possibilities. Applications from people with a migration background who meet the recruitment requirements are expressly encouraged. Severely disabled applicants with equal qualifications will be given preference. A police good-conduct certificate, in some cases an extended good-conduct certificate, is required at the time of recruitment. Unfortunately, application documents can be returned only if a sufficiently stamped envelope is enclosed. Any incurred travel expenses cannot be reimbursed.