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Funded PhD in Craniofacial Biology at Leipzig University 2026
Funded PhD in PTEN-Dependent Craniofacial and Skeletal Biology at Leipzig University
6 min read
Updated
NBy Naman Kumar
Page Summary⌄
Fully funded PhD: Three-year, full-time doctoral position at Leipzig University Medical Center.
Research focus: PTEN signalling, craniofacial and skeletal biology, spatial transcriptomics, metabolism and tissue homeostasis.
Eligibility: Master’s or Diplom in biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, bioinformatics, chemistry or a related field.
Language: Excellent English is required.
Deadline:31 October 2026; applications are submitted by email to the research group.
Table of Contents
Leipzig University Medical Center is offering a fully funded PhD position in PTEN-dependent craniofacial and skeletal biology within the Department of Orthodontics.
The three-year project investigates how loss of the PTEN gene affects craniofacial tissues, bone remodelling, metabolism and tissue homeostasis after birth.
The position is suitable for applicants with a Master’s or Diplom in biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, bioinformatics, chemistry or a related field.
The official application deadline is 31 October 2026. Applications must be submitted by email as a single PDF.
PhD Position at a Glance
Information
Details
Position
PhD in PTEN-Dependent Craniofacial and Skeletal Biology
Institution
Leipzig University Medical Center
Department
Department of Orthodontics
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Research group
Cranio- and Orofacial Development / Petersen Lab
Location
Leipzig, Germany
Funding
Fully funded through a DFG collaborative project
Contract
Temporary
Duration
3 years
Working mode
Full-time
Degree required
MSc, Diplom or equivalent
English
Excellent
Application deadline
31 October 2026
Application route
Email
The vacancy is officially listed by Leipzig University on EURAXESS and is classified as a First Stage Researcher (R1) PhD position.
What is this PhD about?
The project investigates how PTEN-dependent signalling controls craniofacial and skeletal tissues after birth.
PTEN is an important regulator of the PI3K-AKT signalling pathway and helps control:
- cell growth
- metabolism
- tissue maintenance
- skeletal remodelling.
The research asks what happens when PTEN is lost in the osteoblast lineage and how that affects the postnatal craniofacial complex.
The project focuses especially on:
- teeth
- periodontal tissues
- alveolar bone
- craniofacial bone
- the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
A related part of the work investigates how these craniofacial changes connect with adipose tissue and metabolism.
What will you research during the PhD?
You will study how PTEN loss changes tissue structure, cellular behaviour and molecular programmes.
Your work will investigate:
- PTEN-dependent changes in teeth and periodontal tissue
- craniofacial and alveolar bone
- the temporomandibular joint
- altered bone remodelling
- cellular and molecular tissue responses
- spatially resolved gene-expression changes
- links between craniofacial biology and metabolic changes.
Which research methods will you use?
The project combines experimental biology, imaging and computational analysis.
Methods include:
- inducible transgenic mouse models
- genetic reporter systems
- histology
- immunofluorescence
- advanced microscopy
- micro-computed tomography
- spatial transcriptomics
- molecular biology
- quantitative image analysis
- proteomic integration
- bioinformatics.
The Petersen Lab also confirms that its broader research toolkit includes confocal microscopy, micro-CT, spatial transcriptomics, genetic models and single-cell approaches.
Who can apply?
You should hold a Master of Science, Diplom or equivalent degree in one of the following areas:
- Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Bioinformatics
- Chemistry
- a closely related field.
You should also have an interest in one or more of these areas:
- craniofacial biology
- mechanobiology
- regenerative medicine
- skeletal biology
- molecular signalling.
What previous experience is useful?
The vacancy seeks candidates with experience in one or more of the following:
- molecular biology
- cell biology
- animal models
- bioinformatics.
No fixed minimum number of years is stated.
You do not need to have experience in every technique listed in the project. However, experience with one or more relevant experimental or computational methods will strengthen your application.
Can I apply with a bioinformatics background?
Yes, potentially. Bioinformatics is explicitly listed among the eligible degree backgrounds.
This may be especially relevant because the project includes:
- spatial transcriptomics
- proteomic integration
- image analysis
- bioinformatic analyses.
If your background is mainly computational, your application should clearly explain how your skills fit the biological questions in the project.
Can I apply with a chemistry degree?
Yes. Chemistry is explicitly listed as an eligible academic background.
However, you should demonstrate a clear interest in biological research and show how your previous experience connects to molecular, cellular or interdisciplinary biomedical research.
Do I need experience with animal models?
Not necessarily. The vacancy states that experience in molecular biology, cell biology, animal models and/or bioinformatics is relevant.
The phrase “and/or” means you do not need to have experience in every area.
However, because the project uses inducible mouse models, previous experience with animal research may be particularly useful.
Do I need an animal-course certificate?
Only if applicable. The official application instructions ask you to include animal-course certificates if you have them.
They are not presented as a mandatory requirement for every applicant.
What are the English requirements?
You need excellent English. The official vacancy lists English at an Excellent level and also asks for strong communication skills.
German is not listed as a mandatory requirement.
Can international applicants apply?
The official vacancy does not state a nationality restriction. It describes the research environment as international and interdisciplinary and asks candidates to be motivated to work in that setting.
However, the vacancy does not explicitly state that all nationalities are eligible.
If you are applying from outside Germany, you should therefore verify any employment, visa or degree-recognition requirements directly with Leipzig University before accepting an offer.
Is this PhD fully funded?
Yes. The official vacancy explicitly describes the position as a: “fully funded PhD position (3 years)”within a DFG-funded collaborative project.
However, the vacancy does not publish:
- exact monthly salary
- salary grade
- tuition coverage
- travel funding
- insurance details
You should therefore avoid assuming a specific salary amount.
What research environment will you join?
The PhD is based in the Department of Orthodontics at Leipzig University Medical Center.
The Petersen Lab studies how molecular and mechanical signals shape craniofacial tissues during development, adaptation and disease.
The group collaborates with researchers in:
- developmental biology
- dental research
- regenerative medicine
- molecular endocrinology
- metabolism.
The project also involves collaboration with the Molecular Endocrinology group led by Dr. Antje Garten.
Does the PhD include international research exposure?
Yes. The vacancy states that the position includes:
- participation in international research collaboration
- access to advanced technologies
- opportunities for international exchange
- conference participation.
The exact number or duration of international stays is not specified.
Interested in biology or biomedical research in Germany?
Explore universities and degree programmes related to molecular biology, biotechnology, bioinformatics and life sciences.
The official vacancy lists this as the application email.
Application Deadline 31 October 2026
The EURAXESS listing states the deadline as 31 October 2026.
One caution: the same EURAXESS page currently also displays an “expired” status label despite showing the future deadline and active application email.
You should therefore verify that applications are still being accepted before submitting.
Important things to know before applying
The position is fully funded for three years. The exact salary is not published.
You do not need experience in every listed method. The vacancy accepts experience in molecular biology, cell biology, animal models and/or bioinformatics.
Excellent English is required. German is not listed as mandatory.
Bioinformatics candidates can apply. Bioinformatics is explicitly included among the eligible degree backgrounds.
The application requires referee contacts, not recommendation letters.
