PhD Position Membrane Biophysics

Department Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering - AIBE@FAU; Erlangen; Vor Ort; EUR 50.000 - 65.000; Teilzeit

Zusammenfassung

Eine führende deutsche Universität sucht engagierte Kandidaten für eine PhD-Stelle in Membranbiophysik. Der Forschungsschwerpunkt liegt auf den Wechselwirkungen von Lugdunin mit Zellmembranen, um neue antimikrobielle Ansätze zu entwickeln. Die perfekte Bewerbung besteht aus Lebenslauf, Anschreiben und Zeugnissen. Die Stelle bietet eine Teilzeitbeschäftigung mit 30 Stunden pro Woche sowie umfassende Unterstützung und eine familienfreundliche Umgebung.

Leistungen

30 Tage Jahresurlaub

Betriebliche Altersvorsorge

Umfassende Unterstützung während der Promotionsphase

Familienfreundliches Umfeld mit Kinderbetreuung

Flexibles Arbeiten

Qualifikationen

• Abschluss in bio-/physikalischen oder lebenswissenschaftlichen Studiengängen.
• Starkes Interesse an interdisziplinären Projekten.
• Fähigkeit, in einem dynamischen Forschungsumfeld zu arbeiten.

Aufgaben

• Durchführung von Forschungsaktivitäten im Zusammenhang mit dem Projekt.
• Koordination mit Mitarbeitern und Planung von Experimenten.
• Computational Modelling zur Aufklärung der Membraninteraktionen.

Kenntnisse

Interdisziplinäres Interesse

Hohe Kommunikationsfähigkeit in Englisch

Teamfähigkeit

Ausbildung

Master-Abschluss in Bio-/Physik oder verwandtem Bereich

Jobbeschreibung

Your Workplace

We are seeking enthusiastic candidates for a PhD position in our lab specializing in cutting-edge theoretical and computational membrane biophysics. Our research delves into the complex interplay between the composition, structure, organization, and dynamics of cell membranes and its cellular function. We are located at the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, a vibrant academic center with a focus on immunobiology and home to the National High-Performance Computing Center NHR@FAU. We are member of NHR@FAU and of the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) Physics and Medicine.

The Research Project

Unraveling the Membrane-Selective Mechanism of Lugdunin: Insights into Specificity for Gram-Positive Bacteria and Antimicrobial Activity

The project aims to investigate the membrane-selective mechanism of Lugdunin, a cyclic heptapeptide produced by Staphylococcus lugdunensis. Lugdunin exhibits remarkable activity against multi-resistant gram-positive bacteria while showing no toxic effects on gram-negative bacteria or human cells. Previous studies suggest that Lugdunin disrupts the membrane potential of pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus by making the membrane permeable to protons—a mechanism that remains only partially understood.

Interdisciplinary Approach to Molecular Mechanism Research

The specificity of Lugdunin for gram-positive bacteria is hypothesized to result from their unique membrane lipid composition, which facilitates the peptide’s integration and antimicrobial activity. To unravel this mechanism, the study combines cutting-edge experimental and computational methods in collaboration with Prof. Claudia Steinem’s group in Göttingen. Together, the teams investigate the interactions of Lugdunin with membranes that mimic the characteristics of gram-positive, gram-negative, and eukaryotic cells.

The project aims to identify the molecular interactions and structural determinants underlying the antimicrobial activity and membrane selectivity of Lugdunin. These findings could pave the way for the development of novel antimicrobial peptides and innovative approaches to combat infections caused by multi-resistant bacteria.

Collaborative Research Strengthens Antimicrobial Science

The collaboration between FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg and the University of Göttingen represents a significant step toward addressing fundamental questions in antimicrobial research. The DFG’s funding highlights the importance of this project in the global fight against multi-resistant bacterial infections while offering new therapeutic perspectives.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a PDF document comprising a cover letter, CV, and certificates.

Benefits

• Regular promotion to the next level and increase in salary pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement for the public service of the German Länder (TV-L) or remuneration pursuant to the Bavarian Public Servants Remuneration Act (BayBesG) plus an additional annual bonus
• 30 days annual leave at five working days per week with additional free days on December 24 and 31
• Occupational pension scheme and asset accumulation savings scheme
• Excellent support during the academic qualification phase
• Structured doctoral degree programs
• Systematic career development in collaboration with the Graduate Center
• Thorough onboarding process with a dedicated team
• Joint team activities
• Subsidized food and drinks in our student restaurants
• Place of work within comfortable walking distance of public transport
• Family-friendly environment with childcare options, also during school holidays
• Flexible working hours
• A wide range of training courses and opportunities for professional development
• Active health management

Your Tasks / Research

Research activities related to the project, including coordination with collaborators, experimental planning, and computational modeling to elucidate the membrane interactions and antimicrobial mechanism of Lugdunin.

Your Profile / Qualifications

• Educational Background: Ideally, you hold a master’s degree in bio-/physics, theoretical/computational chemistry, life sciences, or a related field.
• Interdisciplinary Interest: Strong passion for interdisciplinary projects and collaboration with medical and immunology groups.
• Communication Skills: High proficiency in English and effective communication skills.
• Team Player: Ability to thrive in a collaborative and dynamic research environment.

Bewerbungsverfahren / How to Apply

• Apply online
• Automatic confirmation of receipt sent by e-mail
• Place of employment views applications
• Invitation to first interview
• Optional invitation to second interview in person at FAU
• Employment documents prepared
• Consultation with Staff Council
• Commencement of employment – welcome to FAU

Notice / Equal Opportunity

Für alle Stellenausschreibungen gilt: Die Friedrich-Alexander-Universität fördert die berufliche Gleichstellung der Frauen. Frauen werden deshalb ausdrücklich aufgefordert, sich zu bewerben.

Schwerbehinderte im Sinne des Schwerbehindertengesetzes werden bei gleicher fachlicher Qualifikation und persönlicher Eignung bevorzugt berücksichtigt, wenn die ausgeschriebene Stelle sich für Schwerbehinderte eignet. Details dazu finden Sie in der jeweiligen Ausschreibung unter dem Punkt "Bemerkungen".

Bei Wunsch der Bewerberin, des Bewerbers, kann die Gleichstellungsbeauftragte zum Bewerbungsgespräch hinzugezogen werden, ohne dass der Bewerberin, dem Bewerber dadurch Nachteile entstehen.

Ausgeschriebene Stellen sind grundsätzlich teilzeitfähig, es sei denn, im Ausschreibungstext erfolgt ein anderweitiger Hinweis.

Release date: 09.09.2025

Application deadline

Application deadline: 29.09.2025

Job Details

Title: PhD Position Membrane Biophysics

Job start date: 01.11.2025

Location: Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät, Staudtstr. 5, 91058 Erlangen

Payment: TV-L E 13

Working time: Teilzeit, 30 hours per week

Contact: Rainer Böckmann

• E-Mail: [e-mail]
• Telefon: [phone]