Doctoral Student (m/f/d) / Department of Molecular Metabolism and Precision Nutrition

The German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE) is a member of the Leibniz Association. The institute’s mission is to conduct experimental and clinical research in the field of nutrition and health, with the aim of understanding the molecular basis of nutrition-dependent diseases, and of developing new strategies for treatment and prevention.

The Department of Molecular Metabolism and Precision Nutrition investigates hormonal and molecular mechanisms involved in the nutritional regulation of the human metabolism. Currently, the focus of the department lies on the role of the circadian clock in metabolic regulation by nutrition. The department is looking for

Doctoral Student (m/f/d)

starting on January 1st, 2027.

The successful candidate will contribute to a human study involving the metabolic phenotyping of participants with and without type 2 diabetes. This project aims to investigate the relationship between daily dietary patterns and 24-hour glucose fluctuations in healthy individuals and participants with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Among other objectives, the study aims to identify the individual lifestyle-related, metabolic, and molecular factors that predict metabolic responses to diet.

Tasks:

• Support of study coordination, study participant’s examination, and processing of blood and adipose tissue samples
• Analysis of dietary protocols and questionnaires
• Biochemical and molecular analysis of biosamples
• Analysis of digital 24-hour glucose, nutrition, and activity data 
• Analysis of multimodal study data using machine learning algorithms
• Preparation of publications 
• Presentation of research results (colloquia, conference contributions)

Requirements and Skills:

• MSc degree/Diploma in in nutritional sciences, molecular biology, biochemistry, or another biological/medical field
• Additional qualification in bioinformatics, digital health, or a similar field is preferred
• Experience in planning and conducting human studies and nutritional data analysis
• Proficiency in programming languages such as R or Python
• Experience in molecular biology lab work and bioinformatic analysis of omics data (e.g., transcriptome and lipidome data)
• High motivation and ability to work in interdisciplinary collaboration and in a diverse research environment
• Very high level of written and spoken English and German

We offer:

• Intensive scientific support, close collaboration with cooperating institutions and enrolment in a local PhD program
• Excellent technical equipment, a wide range of experimental methods and a dynamic and interactive research environment
• Salary will be paid in accordance with TV-L, level 13 (65%)
• Opportunities for targeted further education and professional development
• Family-friendly working conditions (certificate “audit berufundfamilie”)
• Supporting of mobility with a jobticket for using the public transport
• Easy accessibility by public transport or car (including free parking)
• 30 days of vacation
• Participation in the benefits program for employees („Corporate Benefits“)

The advertised position is available for 3 years subject to the approval of third-party funding.

We promote the employment of people with severe disabilities and are committed to equal opportunities for them. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if they have the same qualifications.

Contact:

Please send your documents (cover letter explaining your motivation, CV, copies of degrees/certificates and references) with reference number 2026_W13_L as a single pdf-file before November 8th, 2026 via e-mail to jobs(at)dife.de.  

For further information please do not hesitate to contact: 

Prof. Dr. Olga Ramich
Head of the Department Molecular Metabolism and Precision Nutrition
E-Mail: Olga.Ramich(at)dife.de

We process your application documents for the purpose of carrying out the application procedure in accordance with Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b) GDPR, Art. 88 GDPR. For more information on the collection, processing and use of personal data by the German Institute of Human Nutrition as part of the application process and your rights under data protection law, please contact the Department of Human Resources and Social Services (jobs(at)dife.de).