2026 PhD Position at the University of Duisburg-Essen

At the interface between human health, the environment and animal health, the Research Center One Health Ruhr provides combines the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Medicine, Environmental Science and Neuroscience under one interdisciplinary roof. We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the newly established laboratory of Prof. Dr. Dana Branzei at the University of Duisburg-Essen. The Branzei laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms that safeguard genome integrity during DNA replication and repair, with a particular focus on DNA damage tolerance (DDT) pathways and chromosome structural maintenance.

Your main tasks:

The successful candidate will lead an ambitious project aimed at the functional characterization of novel Rad51 alleles affecting a conserved residue that plays a critical role in genome maintenance during replication. This residue is located in proximity to the Walker B motif and SUMO-interacting motifs (SIMs) of Rad51 and is a candidate phosphorylation site of the Dbf4-dependent kinase (DDK) .

The project will address how SUMOylation and phosphorylation coordinately regulate Rad51 activity in DNA damage tolerance , combining genetic, biochemical, and proteomic approaches. Specific objectives include:

· Genetic and functional characterization of engineered Rad51 alleles

· Proteomic and SUMO-specific analyzes to define Rad51 interactomes

· Biochemical characterization of Rad51 activity and complex formation in vivo

The postdoctoral researcher will work in a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment , with access to state-of-the-art biochemical, proteomic, and imaging platforms at UDE, as well as through collaborations within the Research Alliance Ruhr (RAR) .

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineFebruary 12, 2026
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorUniversity of Duisburg-Essen
• City to studyNorth Rhine-Westphalia
• School to studyUniversity of Duisburg-Essen
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• A dynamic, international research environment
• Access to state-of-the-art structural and proteomics facilities
• Competitive salary according to German TV-L guidelines
• Opportunity to contribute to pioneering research at the intersection of DNA replication, repair, and chromatin biology
• attractive sports and health services (university sports)
• an excellent public transport infrastructure and free parking

Requirements

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or related discipline
• Proven experience in molecular, genetic, biochemical or proteomic assays
• Experience with some structural methods is desirable but not required
• Strong motivation, independence, and ability to collaborate across disciplines
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship

Application Deadline

How To Apply

Please send your application indicating the reference number 009-26 and the subject line Postdoc RAD51 as a single pdf including a motivation letter, CV, publication list and contact details of two referees to: Prof. Dr. Dana Branzei, University of Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Biology, Center for Medical Biotechnology (ZMB), 45117 Essen, Germany. E-mail: [email protected]