DAAD-GSSP scholarships for international PhD students

Engineering Light-Driven Biomineralization in Cyanobacteria - Dann Lab
Cyanobacteria are unique among bacteria for performing oxygenic photosynthesis, enabling the fixation of atmospheric CO₂ into organic biomass. Under specific conditions, some species can additionally convert dissolved inorganic carbon into calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), forming biogenic minerals without expending cellular energy. This natural process represents a promising basis for sustainable carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technologies.
This PhD project aims to enhance cyanobacterial biomineralization capacity through synthetic biology approaches. Strategies include engineering cell-surface proteins to promote CaCO₃ nucleation, implementing recombinant surface-display systems, and applying adaptive laboratory evolution to optimize strain performance under industrially relevant conditions such as high-temperature, CO₂-rich flue gas environments.
The successful candidate will characterize engineered strains for efficiency and stability, generating insights with dual relevance for biotechnological CCS applications and the understanding of natural biomineralization and cementation processes. The project bridges microbiology, synthetic biology, and geo-ecology, offering interdisciplinary training in molecular methods, microbial physiology, and environmental biotechnology.
Applicants should hold a strong background in microbiology or molecular biology, experience with genetic engineering techniques, and a genuine interest in cyanobacterial ecology and physiology.

• Applicants must not have been resident in Germany for more than the last 15 months prior to the nomination
• The last final exam (Master Degree) should have taken place no longer than six years before the time of nomination
• Application documents comprise a CV, a motivation letter, transcript of records (BSc. & MSc.) and at least 2 contacts for recommendation letters (or recommendation letters if available)
• Applicants must not have completed a PhD previously
• Applicants should refer to their preferred research group offering a PhD position

More information on the application requirements here .

📌 Applicants who receive their master's degree after the application deadline may also apply for the program.

👉 Please submit your application via the online application form when the call for application is open. Applications sent via mail are not accepted!