PhD Fellowship, Chemical signals coordinating differentiation in Actinomyces, JSMC, Germany

March 8, 2009

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The Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC) is funded by the German Excellence Initiative. It conceptionally

combines different research areas (microbial communities, interactions with plant, animal and human hosts and
environmental interactions) to a comprehensive picture of microbial communication (www.jsmc.uni?jena.de). JSMC is
an ambitious Graduate School prospectively comprising 150 PhD students who will be educated in a structured,
interdisciplinary training program based on top?level fundamental research. Four faculties of the Friedrich Schiller
University Jena, six non?university research institutions as well as twelve partner companies are participating in this
cutting edge research and training program which includes an innovative PhD program, career development and
intensive sociocultural care. Three embedded existing Research Training Groups as well as twelve other cooperative
research projects are engaged to incorporate novel research areas to achieve a complete view of microbial
communication.

JSMC invites applications for a
PhD Fellowship (Ref.No. JSMC?12/2009) on the topic
Chemical signals coordinating differentiation in Actinomyces

Actinomyces are well known producers of invaluable natural products such as antibiotics. In their natural environment
many microorganisms have to cope with abiotic and biotic factors. Microorganisms interact with other
microorganisms and macroorganisms. We aim to understand how Actinomyces coordinate their life and secondary
metabolism in response to their environment. Hereby chemical signals and the resulting secondary metabolites play a
crucial role. To investigate the chemical basis for such signalling processes and their ecological consequences a broad
range of techniques (e. g. mass spectrometry, NMR, synthesis, mutagenesis) will be applied. The interdisciplinary
project requires a (bio)chemist who is keen on applying analytical methods to understand biological systems.

We expect:
- a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Natural or Life Sciences (e.g. Chemistry, Biochemistry).
Candidates about to earn their degree are welcome to apply.
- high motivation and interest to join one of the interdisciplinary research areas of JSMC
- creativity and interest to shape your own thesis project
- an integrative and cooperative personality
- very good communication skills in English (instruction language at JSMC)

We offer:
- a highly communicative atmosphere within a scientific network providing top?level research
conditions
- a PhD stipend paid for 3 years according to the rules of the DFG (German Research Foundation) as
well as generous research funding
- a comprehensive mentoring program with efficient supervision by a team of supervisors
- courses in novel technologies and soft skills
- Jena – the German City of Science 2008: a young and lively city with dynamic business activities,
successful scientific centres of innovation and a vibrant cultural scene around the famous Friedrich

Schiller University
Friedrich Schiller University Jena is an equal opportunity employer.
The application procedure is handled online exclusively via the JSMC website

www.jsmc.uni?jena.de

Please visit this website to acquaint yourself with details about the project above and other PhD projects
offered within the current JSMC Recruitment Call. Then complete and submit the ‘Statement of Interest’
form downloadable from www.jsmc?uni?jena.de. Applications can only be considered upon receipt of the
completed form, submitted by email to apply?jsmc@uni?jena.de. DO NOT submit any additional
documents at this point.

Deadline for submission of the ‘Statement of Interest’: April 6th, 2009.

Selected applicants will be invited to the JSMC Recruitment Meeting in Jena, Germany, at the end of June,
2009. PhD fellowship awarding decisions will be made shortly thereafter (July 2009).

Scholarship Tags: Actinomyces, Chemical, coordinating, differentiation, Fellowship, germany, JSMC, PhD, signals