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01 Oct 2026 for 3 years

16 Aug 2026

yes

Chemistry, Materials Science, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology

We are looking for a highly motivated and talented PhD candidate to join our interdisciplinary research team at the Institute of Physical Chemistry. This position offers the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in the field of biohybrid materials.

Our research focuses on the development of functional protein-based materials and the investigation of their synthesis, processing, and performance, for example, for advanced biomedical and biotechnological applications.

In this position, you will focus on protein design for protein-based adsorber materials: designing engineered protein variants with tailored binding properties and validating them experimentally to improve selectivity and material performance.

Within our research group the successful candidate will be responsible for:

Experimental Research

• design and develop engineered protein variants with tailored functional properties using rational design approaches
• perform molecular biology workflows, including recombinant protein production and purification of engineered protein variants
• generate modified protein-based materials and investigate how protein modifications affect material properties and adsorption behavior
• establish and optimize workflows for the quantitative evaluation of material performance in iterative design, testing, and optimization cycles

Functional Evaluation and Data Analysis

• develop and perform quantitative assays to evaluate the functional properties of engineered protein-based materials
• analyze experimental data to relate molecular design to material properties and functional performance, and use the results to guide further optimization
• maintain accurate and detailed records of all research activities and findings

Method Development

• develop and optimize experimental methods for the characterization and evaluation of functional protein materials
• improve and standardize assay workflows to enhance selectivity, reproducibility, and comparability between different material variants

Collaboration and Communication

• work collaboratively within the group and with interdisciplinary project partners, coordinating with colleagues responsible for material synthesis and structural characterization
• present research findings in group meetings, departmental seminars, and international conferences
• prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to project reporting across collaborating work packages

Mentoring

• mentor undergraduate and master's students involved in related research projects

Compliance and Safety

• ensure compliance with safety regulations and ethical standards and actively participate in laboratory safety training

Your profile

A university degree in a relevant field.

Candidates are required to have:

• master’s degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Materials Science, or a closely related field
• practical laboratory experience in protein engineering, molecular biology, biochemistry, or related areas
• experience with recombinant protein expression and purification is advantageous
• knowledge of computational protein design and protein redesign approaches (e.g., structure-based design or related computational tools) is highly desirable
• interest in combining computational approaches with experimental validation for the development of functional protein-based materials
• strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to design, perform, and evaluate experiments independently
• ability to analyze experimental data and derive conclusions to guide iterative optimization strategies
• good organizational skills and the ability to maintain accurate experimental records
• good communication skills and the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary research team
• excellent proficiency in English, both written and oral; knowledge of German is beneficial but not mandatory

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to pursue a PhD at the University of Hamburg in Chemistry.