PhD position

within the project

"FormiDablE - Function, Diversity and Evolution of formicine ant venom 
peptides"

The position is fixed term (65% according to TV-L 13, for 36 months) and 
starting on the 01.06.2026 (or as soon as possible).

Project description:

Venomous animals and the venoms they wield are a remarkable example of 
repeated evolution. In prelim-inary work, we have discovered so far 
unknown venom peptides in the highly acidic, formic acid containing 
venoms of non-stinging ants of the subfamily Formicidae (genus 
Camponotus). Aim of this project is to as-sess the diversity of these 
peptides in additional Formica and Lasius ant species, to manually 
annotate these peptides in genomes, to investigate the evolution of 
these peptides, and to investigate their potential biological function. 
To achieve this aim, in this interdisciplinary project within the 
Priority Program "GEvol: Genomic Basis of Evolutionary Innovations", we 
combine organismic (Simon Tragust,), comparative ge-nomic and 
transcriptomic (Barbara Feldmeyer) as well as analytical chemistry (Timo 
Niedermeyer) know-how and methods.

We require:
We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with an inquisitive, 
solution-oriented and frustration-tolerant mind that has excellent 
organisational skills to independently plan and conduct as well as 
analyse chemical, genomic and transcriptomic work. The following 
qualifications are required:
- Applicants must hold a Scientific University degree (MSc/Diploma) in 
biology, biochemistry or related fields
- Prior knowledge and/or experience with techniques and analyses 
involved in either proteomics, tran-scriptomics and/or genomics of 
insects (DNA/RNA extraction and analysis, next-generation sequencing, 
bioinformatics, HPLC)
- Driver's license and/or experience with insect maintenance and 
dissection is a plus
- Fluency in English (lab working language) with good communication and 
social skills

We offer:
- A friendly and inspiring working atmosphere in a young research group 
(for more information check out: 
https://www.zoologie.uni-halle.de/allgemeine_zoologie/staff/tragust/). 
The prospective PhD will be hosted in the lab of Simon Tragust (Halle) 
and will work in close collaboration with Barbara Feldmeyer (Frankfurt, 
https://www.senckenberg.de/en/research/institutes-overview/sbikf-institut/sbikf-ag-molecular-ecology/) 
and Timo Niedermeyer (Berlin, 
https://www.bcp.fu-berlin.de/pharmazie/faecher/pharmazeutische_biologie/team/professoren/niedermeyer/index.html)
- The group is embedded in the Department General Zoology sporting 
excellent, state of the art research facilities in the delightful, 
historic city of Halle with good and affordable living conditions and 
good con-nections to e.g. Berlin (~1h by train), Leipzig-Halle airport 
(~15min by train) or Frankfurt (~3h by train)
- A project that will help to develop and foster the applicant's 
academic profile combining diverse tech-niques in an interdisciplinary 
project.

Application:
Please submit your full application in English with registration number 
Reg.-Nr. 5-13320/25-D until 30th of January 2026 via e-mail as a single 
PDF to simon.tragust@zoologie.uni-halle.de. Applications should include 
a cover letter detailing their motivation to join the project against 
the background of their research interests and experience, a CV, 
certificates (MSc/Diploma) and the names and email addresses of two 
potential referees. Interviews of applicants will take place in 
February/March.

Looking forward to your applications.

Simon Tragust

Simon Tragust <simon.tragust@zoologie.uni-halle.de>

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