Open Positions

1

Time Span

01 Apr 2025 for 3 years

Application Deadline

02 Jan 2025

Financing

yes

Areas of study

Biochemistry, Biology, Biophysics

Description

TUD Dresden University of Technology, as a University of Excellence, is one of the leading and most dynamic research institutions in the country. Founded in 1828, today it is a globally oriented, regionally anchored top university as it focuses on the grand challenges of the 21st century. It develops innovative solutions for the world's most pressing issues. In research and academic programs, the university unites the natural and engineering sciences with the humanities, social sciences and medicine. This wide range of disciplines is a special feature, facilitating interdisciplinarity and transfer of science to society. As a modern employer, it offers attractive working conditions to all employees in teaching, research, technology and administration. The goal is to promote and develop their individual abilities while empowering everyone to reach their full potential. TUD embodies a university culture that is characterized by cosmopolitanism, mutual appreciation, thriving innovation and active participation. For TUD diversity is an essential feature and a quality criterion of an excellent university. Accordingly, we welcome all applicants who would like to commit themselves, their achievements and productivity to the success of the whole institution.

At the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), the Research Group OncoMechanics offers a position as

Research Associate/ PhD Student (m/f/x)
(salary in accordance with the MSCA-DN regulations (if necessary, additional payment of a family allowance if relevant personal circumstances exist)

starting on April 1, 2025. The position is limited to three years, with the option of extension. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz - WissZeitVG). The position aims at obtaining further academic qualification (usually PhD).. The position is in the framework of a European MSCA-Doctoral Network (DN) program (GA: 101168976) entitled “Autonomous Scanning Probe Microscopy for Life Sciences and Medicine powered by Artificial Intelligence (SPM4.0)” that involves research centers/academic institutions and three companies from Spain, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, and UK.

Background: Artificial intelligence is pushing forward the industrial revolution 4.0, which is transforming many areas of society, including science and technology. Machine learning algorithms are being developed and integrated in microscopes for their autonomous operation and in software toolboxes for the automatic analysis of large volumes of microscopy data. Scanning probe microscopy is particularly active in this integration with special focus in the Life sciences and Medical fields. Scanning probe microscopes powered by machine learning are expected to enable the autonomous and label-free nanoscale structural and functional (mechanical and electric) imaging of living cells and biomolecules in their native conditions, something never achieved in nanoscopic imaging. The objective of the SPM 4.0 Doctoral Network is to train a new generation of researchers in the science and technology of autonomous scanning probe microscopes powered by artificial intelligence for applications in the Life Science and Medical fields. The researchers of the network will acquire a state-of-the art multidisciplinary scientific training in advanced scanning probe microscopy and machine learning and in their biological and medical applications. In addition, they will receive training on complementary and transferable skills to increase their employability perspectives and to qualify them to access to responsibility job positions in the private and public sectors. The final aim is to promote the wide adoption of SPM4.0 technologies in public and private research centers and in industrial and metrology institutions and to explore new horizons in the Life Sciences and Medical sectors regarding label-free nanoscopic cell imaging, illness diagnosis, or drug nanocarrier development, consolidating Europe as world leader.

The SPM4.0 partner hosting the PhD student is the Research Group OncoMechanics led by Dr Anna Taubenberger at the CMCB. The Research Group OncoMechanics focuses on mechanical phenotyping of cells and tissues and aims to obtain a better understanding of how mechanical forces and interactions within the tumour microenvironment influence cancer progression and treatment responses. The group's interdisciplinary approach combines concepts from biomechanics, cancer biology, and materials science to study cellular responses to mechanical stimuli and state-of-the art biophysical tools. They aim to develop innovative therapeutic strategies by leveraging insights into the mechanical behaviour of tumour tissues and their implications on cancer dynamics.

Tasks:

• participate in research activities of the Research Group OncoMechanics within the above-mentioned SPM4.0 project
• biophysical characterization of mechanical properties of established cell lines and patient-derived samples at the nanoscale using scanning probe microscopy (atomic force microscopy, AFM) and complex data and image analysis
• to integrate and validate newly developed algorithms for autonomous scanning and data analysis
• establishment of in vitro cell cultures and morphological cell characterization using advanced fluorescence microscopy
• writing of scientific manuscripts for publication and data presentations at conferences and project meetings
• lab rotations and scientific exchange with partner labs of the SPM4.0 network

Requirements:

• university degree (Diploma/Masters) in biophysics, biotechnology, (bio)physics or biology; you must not have a PhD degree at the date of recruitment.
• fulfil the requirements to be enrolled in a PhD program (e.g. DIGS-ILS)
• You must comply with the mobility rules of to the MSCA-DN regulations: not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before recruitment data.
• ability to maintain accurate and up to date records
• understanding of the research process
• ability to organise and prioritise own work and organize research within the project timetable
• problem-solving skills
• computer literacy
• wet lab skills (molecular biological assays, cell culture, microscopy)
• strong interest in working in an interdisciplinary team at the interface of physics, biomedical engineering and biology
• good communications skills in English
• very high motivation and effective team working

We offer:

• 3-year full-time employment contract.
• enrolment in an international PhD program
• exposure to a multidisciplinary and multisectoral environment
• secondments at other institutions within the SPM4.0 consortium
• a structured training program consisting of scientific workshops and soft skill courses
• opportunities for participation in national and international conferences and consortium meetings
• enlarged professional network

TUD strives to employ more women in academia and research. We therefore expressly encourage women to apply. The University is a certified family-friendly university and offers a Dual Career Service. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities. If multiple candidates prove to be equally qualified, those with disabilities or with equivalent status pursuant to the German Social Code IX (SGB IX) will receive priority for employment.

Please submit your detailed application with following documents (CV, detailed list of qualifications and publications, letters of support, letter of interest) by January 2, 2025 (stamped arrival date or the time stamp on the email server of TUD applies), preferably via the TUD SecureMail Portal https://securemail.tu-dresden.de by sending it as a single pdf file to anna.taubenberger at tu-dresden.de or to: TU Dresden, CMCB, BIOTEC, Frau Dr. Anna Taubenberger, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307 Dresden, Germany. Please submit copies only, as your application will not be returned to you. Expenses incurred in attending interviews cannot be reimbursed.

Reference to data protection: Your data protection rights, the purpose for which your data will be processed, as well as further information about data protection is available to you on the website: https://tu-dresden.de/karriere/datenschutzhinweis.