JSMC doctoral and postdoctoral research projects

Our graduate school invites applications for several new doctoral and postdoctoral research projects. Please see the project description and details on the application process below.

How does it work?

Please find the summaries of all available projects via https://www.jsmc-phd.de/admission/vacant-positions.html. A detailed description of each project can be found as a PDF under each summary. If you would like to apply for one or more projects, please follow this link for online applications or the one provided in each PDF. The platform will be open for applications from March 27 to April 26, 2026.
The research projects are located at institutions at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena and non-university institutes, depending on the principal investigator (PI), e.g., the Hans Knöll Institute (HKI) or the Max Planck Institutes (MPI), and are financially supported by the JSMC. The doctoral project will run for 3 years and receive support according to German TV-L 13, 65%, while the postdoctoral projects will be supported according to TV-L 13, 100% for 2 years.

Applications are open to national and international MSc graduates (no longer than 4 years ago) in biosciences, biochemistry, bioinformatics, or related fields who are interested in pursuing a doctorate in Microbial Communication with us. Also welcome are applications from MSc students who will finish their studies in 2026.

For more information, follow this link https://www.jsmc-phd.de/admission/vacant-positions.html

What kind of documents will I need?

You will need to provide a Cover letter/Letter of motivation, your CV, publication list (required for Postdoc applications, optional for doctoral candidates), and scans of certificates, Diplomas and degrees. Additionally, you’ll be asked for personal information and contact details.

Please note that all your information will only be used for recruitment purposes and will be treated confidentially and with the utmost respect.

Please also note that false information, e.g. visa requirements, will lead to immediate disqualification.

How does the recruitment work?

Selected candidates will be contacted by the PIs for an initial interview (e.g. phone, Zoom, etc.). Excellent candidates will then be invited to an in-person recruitment event in Jena, Germany, at the end of May, 2026. During this recruitment event, the invited candidates will have the opportunity to introduce themselves to the JSMC and Excellence Cluster ‚Balance of the Microverse‘ community and present their research work in a 10-minute talk. Visits to the respective labs and research groups will be arranged as well. Invited candidates who wish to participate in the recruitment event in person will receive a JSMC Travel Grant to help cover their expenses.

When can I start my research project?

The anticipated starting dates of each project are in the second half of 2026 and are strongly dependent on individual requirements of the candidates (e.g. visas, relocation of the family, etc.). Every accepted doctoral and postdoctoral candidate will automatically join the JSMC graduate school and the Excellence Cluster ‚Balance of the Microverse‘ and be eligible for exclusive offers and active support from both communities.