Two PhD student Positions (f/m/d) on the Impact of Mitochondrial Metabolism on Ageing (UNION, M[...]

Organisation/Company: University of Cologne

Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions: PhD Positions

Country: Germany

Application Deadline: 21 May 2025 – 23:59 (Europe/Berlin)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Offer Starting Date: 1 Jul 2025

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe – MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101167421

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

We are offering two PhD positions at the Frezza lab at the CECAD, University of Cologne (Germany) supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions UNION Network: UnderstandiNg fraIlty tOwards a future of healthy ageiNg.

We are looking for two motivated students to join our lab as PhD students for two closely related projects. Project A focuses on aging related phenotypes in mouse models whereas project B focuses on the translational/human studies aspect and the comparison between mouse and human in aging phenotypes.

We welcome applications from candidates of any nationality, gender, culture, religion, sexual orientation, or age , provided they meet the following eligibility criteria :

• You must not have a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment
• You must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work/study, etc.) in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to July 2025.
• M. Sc. in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or equivalent (obtained at least one month before the employment contract starts)
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English (B2 or above)
• Strong expertise in cellular metabolism is a plus
• Proficiency in research procedures and statistical methods
• Effective team player
• Research background in ageing biology, immunology, and/or metabolism (preferred)
• Experience with mouse work (preferred)
• Demonstrated curiosity-driven science and exceptional problem-solving abilities
• Interest/experience in translational/human studies (specific to Project B)
• Previous exposure/experience in life style/nutritional interventions (specific to Project B)

We offer you:

• An exciting research project in the framework of MSCA UNION Network: UnderstandiNg fraIlty tOwards a future of healthy ageiNg
• Supportive and cooperative working environment
• Access to internal and external training programs
• Flexible working hours to accommodate family life
• Occupational health management programs
• A fully-funded PhD position in the lab of Prof. Dr. Christian Frezza
• Exposure to clinical and human studies aspects of aging phenotypes (specific to Project B)
• Multidisciplinary environment (biology/bio-medicine/gerontology aspects of aging) (specific to Project B)

We welcome applications from candidates of any nationality, gender, culture, religion, sexual orientation or age to undertake a PhD in ageing research, fulfilling the following criteria:

• Eligible candidates must not have a doctoral degree at the date of their recruitment .
• To comply with the mobility rule meaning that eligible candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date (approximately July 2025).
• Eligible candidates must have obtained a master’s degree in the field of biology, biochemistry, molecular biology (or equivalent ) that allows them to pursue a PhD before the start of the contract.
• The degree must be officially recognized within the European Higher Education Area .
• Language Proficiency : Eligible candidates must have excellent English communication skills (equivalent to CEFR B2 level or above)

Announcement of preselection results and call for interviews : By 30th May 2025, the three top candidates per position will be invited to the online interviews. Full details regarding the interview process will be sent to invited candidates during the arrangement of interviews.

Interviews : May and June 2025

Communication of the results : June 2025

The expected start of the fellowship : From July to December 2025

Number of offers available: 2

Company/Institute: University of Cologne, CECAD (Cluster of Excellence for Aging Research), Frezza lab

Country: Germany

State/Province: NRW

City: Cologne

Postal Code: 50931

Street: Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 26

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