PhD Student (f/m/x)

The Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV) is an independent research institution for basic biomedical research. As a foundation under civil law and member of the Leibniz Association, the Institute occupies a leading position both nationally and internationally.

The Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) – founded in 2017 and situated in the fast-developing science quarter of Hamburg, the Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld – is a joint initiative of ten research partners from Northern Germany, including four universities and six research institutes, among them the LIV. They aim to understand the structure, dynamics and function of pathogens and their host interactions, using, providing, and developing cutting-edge technologies.

The Research Department ‘Structural Cell Biology of Viruses’, headed by Prof. Dr. Kay Grünewald, develops methodological approaches to investigate the structural organization of cells and the interactions between viruses and host cells. The group's laboratories and workplaces are located at CSSB.

The Department is currently accepting applications for a

PhD Student Position (f/m/x)

with the envisaged start date 1 July 2026.

The position is part of the project ‘Understanding genotype impact on post-entry sorting of AdV capsids’ and belongs to the Research Unit 5898 ‘AdBHealth: Raising Knowledge & Boosting Technology – Advancing Adenovirus Biology for a Healthy Future’, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The AdBHealth Research Unit aims to investigate the mechanisms of adenovirus infections and to lay the groundwork for safe medical applications such as vaccines, gene therapies, and oncolytic tumour therapies.

Within the project ‘Understanding genotype impact on post-entry sorting of AdV capsids’ the group of Prof. Dr. Grünewald explores how different viral genotypes affect the sorting of adenovirus capsids during late stages of viral cell entry in close collaboration with the group of Prof. Dr. Harald Wodrich from the University of Bordeaux.

Your tasks

• Elucidate the molecular and structural mechanisms of endosomal penetration of adenoviruses, capsid interactions with motor complexes, and host cell responses
• Perform comprehensive computational analysis of complex biological data sets
• Present research findings at national and international conferences

Your profile

• Completed university studies in the life sciences (Master degree or comparable) or an equivalent qualification
• Scientific curiosity, creative scientific thinking, and eagerness to learn and make fundamental discoveries
• Excellent command of the English language and the ability to communicate and engage in an international team environment
• High, intrinsic motivation, individual responsibility, and extensive social and team skills
• Enthusiasm for imaging-based approaches and openness to learn and master advanced electron cryo-microscopy and tomography (cryoEM and cryoET) workflows
• Prior experience in imaging, virology, molecular biology or cell biology is beneficial

What we offer

• Working as part of a highly motivated team in a state-of-the art, international research environment with excellent technical facilities
• Fixed-term contract for a period of four years (envisaged start date: 1 July 2026) and with a scope of 65% of standard work hours per week which allows to pursue a doctoral degree (Dr. rer. nat.) at the University of Hamburg
• Remuneration according to TV-AVH (Hamburg Employment Law Association Collective Agreement) (comparable to TVöD - Civil Service Collective Agreement), including company pension scheme, 30 days of annual vacation
• Structured training within the LIV Graduate School, an interdisciplinary PhD program for all doctoral candidates working at LIV
• Further training opportunities, incl. subsidized English and German courses at the institute
• Health protection offers at the Institute (in cooperation with voiio GmbH)
• Flexible, family-friendly working hours
• HVV Deutschlandticket subsidy

LIV is certified with the Total Equality distinction, and promotes work-life balance and professional equality between employees of all sex and genders. Severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration if their suitability, qualifications, and professional performance are otherwise equal.

Your application should include a letter of motivation, CV, short description of previous research experience and technical skills, names and contact details of two or three referees. We look forward to receiving your application in English language until 10 June 2026. Please apply exclusively through our online application portal. Applications received at a later date may be considered until the position is filled.

Would you like to shape the future with us? Then we look forward to receiving your application!

Contact:

For project-related questions, please contact the Head of Department Prof. Dr. Kay Grünewald (). If you have any questions about the application process, please contact our HR department ().

Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV) | Martinistraße 52 (N63) | 20251 Hamburg |