PhD Student in Pharmacology - Microbiome

The Luxembourg Institute of Health is offering a PhD student position within the Department of Infection and Immunity  in the area of Pharmacology to carry out a multidisciplinary research project on the modulation of G protein-coupled receptors by microbiome-derived metabolites in the framework of the MICRO-PATH Doctoral Training Unit “Pathogenesis in the Age of the Microbiome” (MICRO-PATH) (https://www.uni.lu/lcsb-en/research-projects/micro-path-dtu/). The goal of this doctoral training is to understand the causal and mechanistic links between the microbiome and chronic diseases and to lay the foundation for establishing the microbiome as a therapeutic and preventative target in the future.
The project will be carried out within the group of Immuno-Pharmacology and Interactomics, led by Dr. Martyna Szpakowska and Dr. Andy Chevigné. This group investigates the fundamental and clinical implications of G protein-coupled receptors in human biology and immuno-oncology-related processes and inflammatory diseases.
We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to join our lab and work on the recently funded MICRO-PATH Doctoral Training Unit project “Illuminating the crosstalk between the gut microbiome and host GPCRome,” which aims to establish an advanced support platform for the functional profiling and quantification of active metabolites or factors secreted by the microbiome in complex biological samples such as serum, stool, or bacterial culture media. This study will shed light on the intricate crosstalk between GPCRs and the microbiome. By examining the interaction of microbial metabolites with GPCRs, we hope to uncover new roles in metabolic regulation, immune response, and disease pathogenesis, highlighting potential therapeutic targets for precision medicine (https://www.uni.lu/lcsb-en/research-projects/micro-path-dtu/phd-projects/#p11-illuminating-the-crosstalk-between-the-gut-microbiome-and-host-gpcrome).

Key Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Pharmacology, Biomedical Sciences, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field. Prior experience in receptor biology or microbiome research would be an advantage but is not mandatory
• Hands-on experience in cell culture, microbiology, and bioassay development and validation
• Basic knowledge of molecular biology techniques (e.g., PCR, cloning, gene expression analysis)
• Familiarity with GPCR pharmacology, signaling assays, or ligand screening approaches
• experience with data analysis and visualization (e.g., GraphPad Prism, R, or Python)
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks effectively
• Excellent time management, rigor, perseverance, and scientific curiosity
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a high level of scientific creativity and originality
• Good writing skills and ability to effectively communicate scientific results (oral and written)
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary and international environment
• Willingness to learn new techniques and adapt to a multidisciplinary research setting
• Fluency in English is mandatory, Fluency in French is an asset

For any further information, please contact Dr. Martyna Szpakowska (martyna.szpakowska@lih.lu) or Dr. Andy Chevigné (andy.chevigne@lih.lu)