Postdoc: Quantitative Sperm Dynamics & Digital Twin

Euraxess; Germany (OH); On-site; USD 57,730 - 75,049; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days of vacation

Fair remuneration

High-performance computing access

Support for international employees

Job summary

A leading research center in Germany is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to contribute to an interdisciplinary project in biophysics, focusing on sperm motility. The candidate will conduct simulations, collaborate on experiments, and prepare scientific publications. A master's and PhD in relevant fields are required. The position offers competitive pay, flexible working hours, and opportunities for international collaboration.

Qualifications

• Strong motivation for an interdisciplinary project that combines physics and biology.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills required.
• Good knowledge of python and C++ is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Perform computer simulations and match them to experimental data.
• Collaborate closely with experiments, including wet lab work.
• Prepare scientific publications and project reports.

Skills

Interdisciplinary project motivation

Excellent written and spoken English

Independence and commitment

Knowledge of python

Knowledge of C++

Education

Master's degree and PhD in biophysics, biology, biochemistry, or relevant discipline

Job description

Organisation/Company Forschungszentrum Jülich Research Field All Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 19 Jan 2038 - 03:14 (UTC) Country Germany Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Other Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Area of research:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Your Job:

This work will be performed as part of an agile team unified by a common goal: An Industry partner from semen production provides fresh sperm cells and pre-analysis. A second industry partner from data sciences provides data management and AI based Image analysis, an internal experimental group, and an internal simulation-sciences group (You+Supervisor+support by lab). These collaborations enable practically relevant and breakthrough results.
This team goal requires a quantitative model describing and predicting sperm motility under various conditions. You will develop the digital twin of sperm motility, and utilize it to develop a separation method. Your tasks will include:

• Performing computer simulations and matching them to experimental data
  
• Very close collaboration with experiments, including occasional wet lab work
  
• Merging experimental results, simulations, and literature for optimal conditions inducing movement differences, in collaboration with the team.
  
• Participation in conferences in Germany and abroad (incl. presenting your research results)
  
• Travel to industry partners to learn and set up on-site research
  
• Preparing scientific publications and project reports

Your Profile:

• Strong motivation for an interdisciplinary project that combines physics and biology together with simulation and data science and practical relevance
  
• A master`s degree or diploma and subsequent PhD in biophysics, biology, biochemistry, or other relevant discipline
  
• Excellent written and spoken English skills
  
• High degree of independence and commitment
  
• Good knowledge of python and C++
  
• Experience in relevant work tasks are advantageous but not mandatory: Simulation sciences, ideally modelling microswimmers, Wet-Lab work, Different forms of microscopy
  

Our Offer:

We work on highly topical, socially relevant issues and offer you the opportunity to actively shape change! You can expect a wide range of opportunities:

• EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH: As one of Europe’s largest and most multidisciplinary research centres, Forschungszentrum Jülich provides access to world-class infrastructure and a vibrant international scientific community.
  
• INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT: Work in an experienced and friendly international research team with strong expertise in biophysics and soft matter.
  
• INDUSTRY COLLABORATION: Benefit from direct integration into a science-industry collaboration with practical relevance
  
• HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING: Leverage cutting-edge computational resources, including access to top European supercomputers on site.
  
• STATE-OF-THE-ART INFRASTRUCTURE: Enjoy excellent scientific and technical infrastructure — both within the group and across the entire research campus.
  
• NETWORKING: Participate in (international) conferences and project meetings
  
• FLEXIBILITY: Flexible working time models, including options close to full-time ( go.fzj.de/near-full-time ), allow you to tailor your working hours to suit your individual needs
  
• WORK-LIFE BALANCE: The option of flexible working (in terms of location) is generally available after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
  
• VACATION: You will receive 30 days of vacation plus additional days off (e.g. between Christmas and New Year`s)
  
• FIXED-TERM: The position is limited to 2 years but with the prospect of extension
  
• FAIR REMUNERATION: Depending on your existing qualifications and the tasks assigned to you, you will be classified in pay grade 13 of the TVöD-Bund (Collective Agreement for the Public Service). All information on the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on the BMI website: go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed The monthly salaries in euros can be found here: go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed.entgelt
  
• 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: 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: go.fzj.de/equality and on specific support options: go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.