PhD Candidate for Exploring Novel Drivers of Anti- Microbial Resistance

Jerusalem, Israel

About our Campus: Hebrew University’s Edmond J. Safra Campus on Givat Ram is a vibrant hub of academic and research excellence nestled in the heart of Jerusalem. Our modern campus boasts state-of-the-art lab facilities, world-renowned faculty, and a stimulating environment that fosters scientific exploration, intellectual growth, and innovation.

About Our Department: The Racah Institute of Physics, part of the Faculty of Science, is dedicated to high-quality research across a wide range of physics disciplines. Our areas of expertise include nanophysics, biophysics, nonlinear and condensed matter physics, few-body systems, nuclear and hadronic physics, high-energy physics, and astrophysics. We support a diverse group of students at all levels, offering a rigorous undergraduate curriculum and advanced graduate degrees. This commitment to excellence is exemplified by our graduate and Nobel laureate, Prof. David Gross. For more details, visit: https://phys.huji.ac.il/

About Our Research: This research project develops tools and theories to evaluate how antibiotic combinations affect bacterial survival and resistance evolution.

Project Description: The Doctoral Candidate will create high-throughput methods to test drug combinations and predict how bacterial cell variations influence resistance development. Using measurements of bacterial recovery time and tolerance levels, they’ll identify factors that control resistance evolution speed. The project aims to create a framework for predicting resistance development under drug combinations, potentially improving clinical antibiotic use by tailoring treatments to specific bacterial strains. This is a full-time position with a duration of three years.

About the Supervisor: Prof. Nathalie-Balaban (lab website: https://balabanlab.huji.ac.il/) joined the Physics Department at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2003, after post-doctoral positions at Princeton and Rockefeller Universities. She has been a Full Professor since 2016. Her research focuses on the development of experimental and theoretical approaches to the study of single cell heterogeneity, and the determination of its role in disease and evolution. She was awarded the Krill prize from the Wolf Foundation and holds an Advanced Grant from the European Research Council (see: https://balabanlab.huji.ac.il/).

Funding: The Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network “ENDAMR" funds the PhD position at the level of 46,000$/year.

Benefits: The fellowship includes the following benefits: Monthly living allowance: monthly instalments before taxation and compulsory deductions of 4,010 euro; pondered by the EU correction coefficient (specific for the countries where the enrolling Institutions are located). Monthly mobility allowance: 710 euro/month. Monthly family allowance, if applicable: 660 euro/month. The Doctoral Candidate will enjoy a multi-disciplinary and international environment with plenty of training opportunities and exchange with all labs involved in the ENDAMR Network.

Your Profile: Strong knowledge of Biology and one exact science discipline (chemistry/physics/mathematics/computer science) at the undergraduate level is required. Programming ability is required. Excellent academic grades, demonstrating a commitment to academic excellence and research potential, are essential. Applicants must have an excellent command of English.

Eligibility: Applicants must be doctoral candidates, i.e., not already possessing a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment. Mobility rule: Eligible candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment by the host institution (i.e. the starting date indicated in the employment contract/equivalent direct contract). In duly justified cases, it would be possible a derogation from the mobility rule. Applicants must fulfil the local recruiting requirements. Employment will be conditioned to acceptance by the doctoral school of the associated PhD awarding institution.

Embracing Diversity: At Hebrew University we believe that diversity inspires creativity, fosters curiosity, and enriches our ecosystem through academic collaboration and cultural exchange. We consider every member of our community an integral part, irrespective of their religion, gender, or ethnic origin. HUJI is home to nearly 25,000 students across our 6 campuses, including ~2,500 international students per year representing 90+ countries. You’ll enjoy the opportunity to engage with your peers here on equal ground, in an environment that promotes equity and inclusion, and celebrates the contribution of its talented members.

About Hebrew University: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI) is one of the world's leading research institutions, consistently ranked as a global top 100 university. Established by luminaries such as Albert Einstein, we’re at the forefront of groundbreaking research, entrepreneurship, and innovation across various domains, including brain sciences, medicine, biomedicine, life sciences, mathematics, agriculture, and more. Our 6 campuses house 100+ research centers, with ~4,000 research projects underway year-round.

About Jerusalem: Hebrew University is an integral part of Jerusalem, Israel’s capital and one of the most fascinating, diverse cities on earth. Thousands of students from across the globe live in the city, immersing themselves in its vibrant cultural and culinary scenes, while marveling at the juxtaposition of its 3,000-year-old history and cutting-edge modernity. Students make the most of their spare time by enjoying Jerusalem’s myriad attractions, from restaurants, cafes and pubs, to dance clubs, museums, theaters, and year-round festivals.