PhD position in Adipose Tissue Metabolism

PhD position in Adipose Tissue Metabolism

Published on: 12.06.2026

The University of Bonn is an international research university with a wide education and research profile. With a 200-year history, approximately 31,500 students, more than 6,000 staff, and an excellent reputation at home and abroad, the University of Bonn is one of the most important universities in Germany and is recognized as a university of excellence1.

Dr. Laia Reverte Salisa at the Department of Immunology and Environment (Head: Prof. Dr. Irmgard Förster) at the LIMES Institute is recruiting for a

PhD position in Adipose Tissue Metabolism

The position is available for a fixed-term 3-year contract in accordance with § 2 (1) WissZeitVG starting at the earliest possible date.

Life & Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute

The Life & Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute is an interdisciplinary institute for basic biomedical research, with a scientific focus on the regulation of lipid metabolism and the immune system in health and disease.

Deadline:

July 05, 2026

Reference number:

2025/105

Working time model:

part-time

Starting date:

as soon as possible

Duration:

fixed-term

TV-L EG 13

Applications to:

Research background

The main research interest of our group lies in the reaction of metabolic tissues to various environmental factors, such as temperature challenges and food constituents. We recently identified the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Repressor (AhRR) as a pivotal regulator of thermogenesis and metabolic processes (Graelmann, FJ et al, Mol Metab 2024). In this project, the candidate will investigate how environmental factors influence the plasticity of thermogenic adipose tissues, including pathways controlling preadipocytes and endothelial cells (Reverte-Salisa, L et al, Nat Cell Biol 2024). To investigate these processes the candidate will use mouse models, classical in vitro methods but also cutting-edge technologies, such as flow cytometry, metabolomics, and snRNA sequencing.

The position is available within the Transregional Collaborative Research Centre (TRR) 333 “BATenergy: Brown and Beige Fat - Organ Crosstalk, Signaling and Energetics” funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG). For further information please refer to https://www.limes-institut-bonn.de/en/research/research-departments/unit-2/foerster-lab/foerster-lab-home/4 and https://www.trr333.uni-bonn.de/5

We offer

• opportunity to conduct your PhD thesis
• A thriving academic environment
• A professional career development program
• Participation in the university-wide pension system (VBL)
• Access to extensive university sports program
• A salary based on the TV-L scale (E13, 65%)

Your profile

• Applicants should hold a master degree in molecular biology, pharmacy, immunology, or similar topics.
• Candidates with experience in molecular cell biology, pharmacology or biochemistry are encouraged to apply.
• Methodological experience in cell signaling, multicolor flow cytometry, transcriptomics and bioinformatics is advantageous.
• Good communication skills and fluency in English are essential.
• We expect a highly motivated candidate with willingness to work in a diverse team.

Diversity and equal opportunity

The University of Bonn promotes an open, respectful, and non-discriminatory academic culture and is actively committed to equal opportunity and family friendliness6. We aim to eliminate structural disadvantages and to strengthen diversity in research, teaching, and administration. Therefore, we welcome all applications, regardless of ethnic or social background, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, disability, or age.

Applications from women and people with a documented severe disability (or equivalent status) will be given preferential consideration in accordance with the State Equality Act (LGG) NRW and Social Code (SGB) IX.

Contact Links

• https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/university/about-the-university/university-of-excellence/university-of-excellence
• https://www.uni-bonn.de/de/universitaet/arbeiten-an-der-uni/stellenangebote/informationen-zum-tarifvertrag
• https://www.uni-bonn.de/de/universitaet/medien-universitaet/medien-arbeiten-an-der-uni/medien-personalmanagement/pdfs-stellenausschreibungen-wiss.ma/2026_105.pdf
• https://www.limes-institut-bonn.de/en/research/research-departments/unit-2/foerster-lab/foerster-lab-home/
• https://www.trr333.uni-bonn.de/
• https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/university/equal-opportunity/family-friendly-university/family-friendly-university