PhD Position - DNA-based Liquid Crystal Elastomers - Towards an artificial cytosceleton

Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH; Jülich; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International team

State-of-the-art facilities

30 days annual leave

TVöD-Bund pay and bonuses

Job summary

Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH invites applications for a PhD position focused on DNA-based liquid crystal elastomers. You will fabricate microscale LCEs from charged microgels and study their structure and responsiveness using microscopy, scattering and rheology.

You will work in an international, interdisciplinary team with state-of-the-art facilities, contribute to publications, and present at conferences in Germany and abroad. Start date is as soon as possible, with a 3-year fixed-term PhD.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in physics, physical chemistry, biophysics, or related field.
• Experience with data analysis using Origin and scientific programming.
• Experience with light scattering, microscopy, or rheology is helpful.
• Fluent in English; works well in an international team.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently.
• Available by December 2026.

Responsibilities

• Optimize material synthesis protocols.
• Perform microscopy, scattering and rheology experiments.
• Analyze experimental data.
• Prepare scientific publications.
• Present results at conferences in Germany and abroad.
• Coordinate with internal and external project partners.

Skills

Data analysis (Origin)

Scientific programming

English communication

Education

Master's degree in physics/physical chemistry/biophysics or related field

Tools

Light scattering

Microscopy

Rheology

Job description

PhD Position - DNA-based Liquid Crystal Elastomers - Towards an artificial cytosceleton

Join us in exploring how the principles of soft matter and biomolecular self-organization can inspire the next generation of functional materials. Our research at the Institute of Biological Information Processing - Biomacromolecular Systems and Processes (IBI-4) combines physics, chemistry, and biology to understand the collective behaviour of biomacromolecules and to develop innovative liquid crystal elastomers with programmable mechanical properties. In this project, you will contribute to the fabrication and characterization of novel microscale liquid crystal elastomers using advanced microfluidic techniques and state-of-the-art microscopy and rheology. Your work will help uncover how rational design governs mechanical function, providing new insights for responsive materials with applications ranging from bioinspired actuators to model systems for cellular mechanics.

Your Job

As part of this project, you will fabricate and characterize novel microscale liquid crystal elastomers (micro-LCEs) based on charged microgels with tailored polymer network architectures. Your work will involve the production of micro-LCE particles using microfluidic techniques, followed by their structural and responsive characterization using microscopy and scattering techniques. You will investigate the influence of temperature and ionic strength on particle conformation and explore the mechanical properties through linear and non-linear rheological measurements on corresponding bulk polymer networks. Your work will be supported by an international interdisciplinary research team.

Some of your specific tasks are in detail:

• Contribution to the optimization of material synthesis protocols
• Performing microscopy, scattering and rheology exepriments
• Analysis of experimental data
• Preparing scientific publications
• Participation in conferences in Germany and abroad to presenting your research results
• Exchange with internal and external as well as national and international project partners

Your Profile

• You hold a Masters degree in ideally physics, physical chemistry, biophysics or a related field with a specialization in soft matter science
• You have some experience in data analysis using standard software like Origin and in scientific programming
• Experimental experience with light scattering, microscopy and rheology is not mandatory but would be very helpful
• You speak and write proficiently in English, are communicative and enjoy working in an international team.
• You have good organizational skills and the ability to work independently
• You have a high degree commitment and a very reliable and conscientious style of working
• In the best case you are available not later than December 2026

Our Benefits for You

• Team & Environment: You will work in a motivated team with an international and interdisciplinary focus – at one of the largest research institutions in Europe
• Research & Infrastructure: You will have access to excellent scientific and technical facilities for your work
• Networking & Exchange: You will participate in (international) conferences and project meetings and actively build your scientific network
• Supervision & Support: We will accompany your doctoral studies with continuous, expert guidance from your academic supervisor and from the surrounding team
• Annual Leave: You get 30 days of annual leave
• Knowledge & Development: Your professional development is important to us – we support you specifically and individually e.g., through training and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral candidates (JuDocS)
• Health & well-being: Your health is important to us. You can look forward to a comprehensive company health management programme with a wide range of options, including a beach volleyball court, running groups, yoga classes and much more. In addition, our company medical service and an experienced social counselling team are available to assist you on site
• Fair remuneration: Depending on your qualifications and assigned responsibilities, you will be classified according to pay group 13 (66%) of the TVöD-Bund. In addition to the basic salary, there is an additional year-end bonus under the collective pay agreement amounting to 75% of a monthly salary, as well as capital-forming benefits. All information about the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on the BMI website (pay scale table on page 74 of the PDF download)
• Fixed-term: The position is for a fixed term of 3 years but with the prospect of a limited extension period where needed to complete your PhD
• Support for international employees: Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality and on specific support options for women: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey

Place of Employment: Jülich
Start Date: To the next possible date
Salary: Pay group 13 (66%) TVöD-Bund
Application Deadline: The position will be published until it is successfully filled
Index number: 2026D-0757