The student must be enthusiastic for research in the field of antibiotic resistant bacteria, next-generation sequencing technologies and in vivo models. A broad panel of classic and advanced molecular techniques (e.g., metagenomics, cloning, CRISPR-Cas), as well as standard phenotypic susceptibility tests, will be also implemented. Therefore, candidates with a background in microbiology (more specifically in bacteriology) and molecular biology are well qualified. The candidate should possess an already acquired experience with whole genome/plasmid sequencing, along with genome assembly, annotation procedures and metagenomics.
The student must also fulfill the requirements to be accepted as a PhD student by the Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Bern (e.g., Master degree in life science or equivalent). Fluency in spoken and written English is required; other languages (German and French) would be advantageous.

The IFIK provides an international working atmosphere with regular seminars in English language and offers the most modern laboratory equipment and a multidisciplinary setting. Results of research will be presented by the PhD student at international meetings and published in high-quality journals. The student will be enrolled in the Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Bern (www.gcb.unibe.ch).

Salary: 100% for 36 months according to the guidelines of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF).
Starting date: January, 2026 (flexible)
Last day for sending application: October 24th, 2025.

Please send your application in English (including CV, motivation letter, copy of Master degree certificate, and contact information of at least two referees) electronically to Prof. Andrea Endimiani MD, PhD at andrea.endimiani@unibe.ch. Only the three top candidates will be contacted for the final round of selection.