Postdoctoral position in Antibiotic Development Human tissue models to predict antibiotic efficacy against non-tuberculous mycobacteria The Biozentrum of the University of Basel is a leading life science institutes worldwide, dedicated to understanding the fundamental principles of biology. The Department of Biomedicine (DBM), a joint initiative of the University of Basel and the University Hospitals Basel, unites basic and clinical research to advance the understanding of human disease. Both institutions are part of the NCCR AntiResist, a Swiss-wide research consortium developing new strategies against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Your position We are looking for an ambitious postdoctoral researcher to study antibiotic efficacy against non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in a physiologically relevant human airway infection model. The position is shared between the Boeck Lab (DBM) and the Jenal Lab (Biozentrum), is embedded in the NCCR AntiResist research network, and includes a close collaboration with A&J Science, a company advancing new antibacterial compounds. The project Pulmonary NTM infections are increasing worldwide and remain notoriously difficult to cure. How NTM colonise and persist in human airways and how they respond to antibiotics in tissue remains poorly understood. The Jenal Lab has established a fully differentiated air-liquid interface (ALI) human airway model and used it to dissect how Pseudomonas aeruginosa breaches the respiratory barrier (Nature Microbiology 2024). The Boeck Lab has developed large-scale imaging approaches to measure antibiotic killing dynamics across NTM strains and drugs, linking drug tolerance to bacterial genotypes and clinical outcome (Nature Microbiology 2026). This project brings both platforms together to establish NTM infection in human airway tissues and build a tissue-based drug efficacy platform for antimycobacterial compounds. Your role You will establish NTM infection in human ALI airway epithelium and characterise infection dynamics. Building on this, you will develop and validate a tissue-based antibiotic efficacy platform, measuring bacterial growth and killing dynamics, intracellular drug activity, and tissue integrity during treatment. You will test novel antimicrobial compounds alongside standard-of-care antibiotics and compare tissue-based efficacy with conventional drug testing. You will lead the project scientifically and work at the interface of two academic labs and an industry partner. Your profile We are looking for a candidate with a strong track record in infection biology. PhD in infection biology, microbiology, cell biology, or a related discipline Experience with microbiology techniques, such as bacterial culture, genetic manipulation, and imaging Experience with mammalian cell culture (organoid or ALI culture is particularly valuable) Ability to design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments independently Strong motivation, scientific curiosity, and drive Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary consortium We offer you A fully funded 2-year postdoctoral position within the NCCR AntiResist Access to cutting-edge technologies, such as high-content imaging and confocal microscopy An established human airway infection platform ready for adaptation to NTM Close interaction with drug development partners A vibrant, international, and collaborative research environment at the University of Basel Support for independent funding applications and career development Competitive salary and excellent quality of life in Basel, Switzerland Application / Contact Please apply online: https://biped.biozentrum.unibas.ch/apply/uj_lb_postdocposition Please upload a single PDF including a motivation letter, a CV, academic transcripts, contact details of at least two references, and a brief description of a project you would be excited to pursue. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Apply www.unibas.ch Wenn Sie sich auf diese Stelle bewerben, erwähnen Sie bitte dass Sie sie auf Universitoxy gesehen haben.

Postdoctoral position in Antibiotic Development

Human tissue models to predict antibiotic efficacy against non-tuberculous mycobacteria

The Biozentrum of the University of Basel is a leading life science institutes worldwide, dedicated to understanding the fundamental principles of biology. The Department of Biomedicine (DBM), a joint initiative of the University of Basel and the University Hospitals Basel, unites basic and clinical research to advance the understanding of human disease. Both institutions are part of the NCCR AntiResist, a Swiss-wide research consortium developing new strategies against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.

Your position

We are looking for an ambitious postdoctoral researcher to study antibiotic efficacy against non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in a physiologically relevant human airway infection model. The position is shared between the Boeck Lab (DBM) and the Jenal Lab (Biozentrum), is embedded in the NCCR AntiResist research network, and includes a close collaboration with A&J Science, a company advancing new antibacterial compounds.

The project

Pulmonary NTM infections are increasing worldwide and remain notoriously difficult to cure. How NTM colonise and persist in human airways and how they respond to antibiotics in tissue remains poorly understood. The Jenal Lab has established a fully differentiated air-liquid interface (ALI) human airway model and used it to dissect how Pseudomonas aeruginosa breaches the respiratory barrier (Nature Microbiology 2024). The Boeck Lab has developed large-scale imaging approaches to measure antibiotic killing dynamics across NTM strains and drugs, linking drug tolerance to bacterial genotypes and clinical outcome (Nature Microbiology 2026). This project brings both platforms together to establish NTM infection in human airway tissues and build a tissue-based drug efficacy platform for antimycobacterial compounds.

Your role

You will establish NTM infection in human ALI airway epithelium and characterise infection dynamics. Building on this, you will develop and validate a tissue-based antibiotic efficacy platform, measuring bacterial growth and killing dynamics, intracellular drug activity, and tissue integrity during treatment. You will test novel antimicrobial compounds alongside standard-of-care antibiotics and compare tissue-based efficacy with conventional drug testing. You will lead the project scientifically and work at the interface of two academic labs and an industry partner.

Your profile

We are looking for a candidate with a strong track record in infection biology.

PhD in infection biology, microbiology, cell biology, or a related discipline
Experience with microbiology techniques, such as bacterial culture, genetic manipulation, and imaging
Experience with mammalian cell culture (organoid or ALI culture is particularly valuable)
Ability to design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments independently
Strong motivation, scientific curiosity, and drive
Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary consortium

We offer you

A fully funded 2-year postdoctoral position within the NCCR AntiResist
Access to cutting-edge technologies, such as high-content imaging and confocal microscopy
An established human airway infection platform ready for adaptation to NTM
Close interaction with drug development partners
A vibrant, international, and collaborative research environment at the University of Basel
Support for independent funding applications and career development
Competitive salary and excellent quality of life in Basel, Switzerland

Application / Contact

Please apply online: https://biped.biozentrum.unibas.ch/apply/uj_lb_postdocposition
Please upload a single PDF including a motivation letter, a CV, academic transcripts, contact details of at least two references, and a brief description of a project you would be excited to pursue. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Apply

www.unibas.ch

Wenn Sie sich auf diese Stelle bewerben, erwähnen Sie bitte dass Sie sie auf Universitoxy gesehen haben.

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