Ph.D. students in Biophysics/Structural Biology (m/f/d) 04. Mar. 2026

Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V.; Berlin; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 Tage Urlaub

Jahresbonus

Betriebliche Altersvorsorge

Flexibles Arbeiten

Gesundheitsangebote

Job summary

Ein Forschungsinstitut in Berlin sucht zwei engagierte Doktoranden in Biophysik/Strukturelle Biologie zum nächstmöglichen Zeitpunkt. Die Kandidaten sollten einen Hintergrund in (Bio)Chemie oder (Bio)Physik mitbringen, versehen mit einem starken Interesse an struktureller Biologie. Die Stellen bieten eine erstklassige Infrastruktur für Forschung und Unterstützung bei der Durchführung innovativer Projekte. Vergütung erfolgt gemäß dem öffentlichen Tarifvertrag (TVöD Bund) und umfasst zahlreiche soziale Leistungen, inklusive 30 Tage Urlaub und eine betriebliche Altersvorsorge.

Qualifications

• Hintergrund in (Bio)Chemie, (Bio)Physik oder verwandten Fächern.
• Starkes Interesse an struktureller Biologie.
• Vorwissen in (Membran) Proteinproduktion und -reinigung, NMR-Spektroskopie oder Kryo-EM von Vorteil.

Responsibilities

• Erforschen der Struktur, Dynamik und Funktion von Membranproteinen.
• Lernen der Produktion von Membranproteinen mittels zellfreier Expression.
• Durchführung von Festkörper-NMR und Kryo-EM.

Skills

Biophysics

Structural biology

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

PhD studies in Biophysics/Structural Biology

Tools

NMR spectroscopy

Cryo-EM

Membrane protein expression

Job description

The Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) belongs to the „Forschungsverbund Berlin e. V.“, an institution of seven natural sciences research institutes in Berlin funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and the association of its federal states. The research institutes belong to the Leibniz association.

The FMP is a non-university research institute that conducts basic research in molecular pharmacology and provides a vibrant and collaborative environment with state‑of‑the‑art facilities for research and employees from all over the world.

The FMP Research Unit Molecular Biophysics headed by Prof. Adam Lange is looking for two Ph.D. students in Biophysics/Structural Biology (m/f/d) (Ref. 03/2026).

We investigate the structure, dynamics, and function of membrane proteins (e.g. viroporins, potassium channels, rhomboid proteases) and supramolecular assemblies by an integrated structural biology approach focused on solid‑state NMR and cryo‑EM (Mohretal., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025; Öster et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025; Bohg et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2026). The PhD students will have the opportunity to learn how to produce membrane proteins using cell‑free expression and to perform solid‑state NMR as well as cryo‑EM. The latter aspects will benefit tremendously from outstanding available infrastructure on campus including a 1.2GHz NMR spectrometer and a Titan Krios cryo‑electron microscope. The positions are initially limited to three years; the expected start date will be in June2026.

Your profile:

Candidates with a background in (bio)chemistry, (bio)physics or related subjects and a strong interest in structural biology are encouraged to apply. Prior knowledge in (membrane) protein expression and purification, NMR spectroscopy, or cryo‑EM is not required but would be an advantage.

What we offer:

• An attractive environment in a pleasant, friendly working atmosphere with an excellent infrastructure.
• Compensation in accordance with the public collective bargaining agreement (TVöD Bund) including the usual social benefits, i.e. 30 days of vacation, annual bonus, company pension plan with the Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder (VBL).
• Work‑life balance (certified by Audit Beruf und Familie) as well as flexible working hours and the possibility of mobile working.
• Health offers on campus (courses, fitness center, etc.).
• Mobility offers such as job ticket, campus bikes and Jelbi station on campus.

We offer equal opportunities regardless of gender and welcome applications of disabled candidates. They will be preferred in case of equal qualification. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

For further information about the Institute see www.leibniz-fmp.de. For questions please don’t hesitate to contact Prof. Adam Lange ([e-mail]).

How to apply:

On the FMP homepage please go to Job-opportunities and click first on this advertisement and then Apply online.

Please submit your application including a concise statement of research interest, CV, copies of degree certificates and contact information for two letters of reference, as soon as possible but not later than April 15, 2026.

We are looking forward to your application!