Research Associate / PostDoc (m/f/x)

The Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life" (PoL, ) is an interdisciplinary research center at TUD Dresden University of Technology dedicated to quantitative biology and biophysics. It is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and offers a wide range of support structures, including state-of-the-art light microscopy and advanced bio-image data science facilities in the outstanding Dresden environment. 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 Cluster of Excellence "Physics of Life" (PoL), the Heisenberg-Chair of mechanics of active biomaterials (Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Fischer-Friedrich) offers a position as

Research Associate / PostDoc (m/f/x)(subject to personal qualification, employees are remunerated according to salary group E 13 TV-L)

starting October 1, 2026. The position is initially limited until January 31, 2028 with the option of extension. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz - WissZeitVG). The position offers the chance to obtain further academic qualification.

Tasks: scientific research within the framework of the Heisenberg Professorship for Mechanics of Active Biomaterials with the following research focus:

• experimental investigation of active fluctuations of cell organelles and their relationship with cell proliferation, cellular metabolism and mechanical force transmission between cell organelles and cytoskeleton
• the aim is to identify the biophysical and molecular mechanisms that generate and regulate movements of cell organelles in living cells, as well as to examine the extent to which such fluctuations can be used as predictive parameters for cellular states
• the methods include quantitative live cell fluorescence microscopy, cell culture, molecular force sensors, targeted pharmacological and optogenetic perturbations, as well as quantitative image analysis and data-driven evaluation of large image datasets
• evaluation of experimental data with tailor-made computer programs
• writing scientific manuscripts for publication in relevant journals
• conducting extensive literature searches
• writing regular interim reports
• participation in professional conferences and presentation of the research work of the laboratory and its projects
• support of the Institute in applying for third-party funding

Requirements:

• university degree and PhD degree in biology, biophysics, biotechnology or a related field
• interest in working in an interdisciplinary environment at the interface of cell biology and physics
• experience with cell culture, light microscopy and analytical methods of molecular biology
• experience with programming and quantitative image analysis
• excellent communication and presentation skills in English

We offer:

• the opportunity to design an exciting research project at the interface of cell biology, biophysics and medicine while advancing your academic or professional career
• they will be integrated into the highly interactive and interdisciplinary research environment of PoL and the entire Dresden campus, which also includes other top-class scientific institutions
• you will have numerous opportunities to work with our strong local and international partners
• through regular scientific seminars and occasional retreats, you will gain insight into world-class research on various topics
• you will have the opportunity to acquire project management, team leadership and teaching skills
• you will be supported in applying for scholarships and your professional development
• flexible arrangements for work hours to support a good work-life balance
• 30 days of vacation per year (based on a 5-day workweek)
• extensive opportunities for professional development and continuing education
• health care and sports programs offered by TUD
• a discounted job ticket (also available as a Deutschlandticket)
• participation in the supplementary pension scheme for employees in the public sector via VBL (Federal and State Government Employees Retirement Fund)

TUD strives to employ more women in academia and research. We therefore expressly encourage women to apply. The university is a family-friendly university. 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.

Application: Please submit your detailed application with a letter of motivation, CV, list of publications and contact details of three reference persons and the subject "2026-postdoc-organelle-fluctuations" by August 24, 2026 (stamped arrival date or the time stamp on the email server of TUD applies), preferably via the TUD SecureMail portal by sending it as a single pdf file to [email protected] or to:

TU Dresden, Cluster of Excellence "Physics of Life", Carolin Weichelt, Arnoldstr. 18, 01307 Dresden, Germany.

Please submit copies only, as your application will not be returned to you. Expenses incurred in attending interviews cannot be reimbursed.

Note on data protection: What rights you have and for what purpose your data is processed as well as further information on data protection have been provided for you on the following website: .

Company

TU Dresden

Excellence – A matter close to our hearts

Excellence? Elitism? Opportunity or risk? The Excellence Programme, initially launched in 2005 by the German government has aroused passionate debate right from the start and still has the potential to polarise opinion.

TU Dresden (TUD) looks at it this way: excellence is all about performance and having the right attitude. For everyone here at TU Dresden – one of eleven Universities of Excellence in Germany since 2012 – it is also a matter very close to our hearts. Firstly because of the extra motivation and impetus generated, and secondly, because of the way we handle this role.

Our vision for the future can be summed up as follows: “Let us become one of the leading centres for research and teaching, with our own individual character and a special talent for networking, able to attract the best minds in Germany and from further afield.” After all, it is a well-known fact that excellence in research and teaching presupposes excellent conditions. Or, to put it figuratively, for excellent crop yields, you need the right soil and weather.

TU Dresden is a comprehensive university with 18 faculties and works in close collaboration with its top performers: three Clusters of Excellence, including the “Centre for Tactile Internet” (CeTI) , the Cluster “Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter” (ct.qmat) and the Cluster “Physics of Life” (PoL) . The guiding principle here is that strong individual elements become even stronger when they work together.

The vision for the future takes this principle beyond the confines of the university: with the research network DRESDEN-concept ( D resden R esearch and E ducation S ynergies for the D evelopment of E xcellence and N ovelty), TU Dresden has been creating an alliance of research and cultural facilities in the city, an “excellent playground for excellent people”. This bond is unique in Germany and has evolved over many years. It is not necessary to create anything new here, as it is simply a matter of building further storeys on top of an already solid structure. The measures envisaged as part of the DRESDEN-concept contribute to the overall development of TU Dresden and form an integral part of the university strategy.

Excellence is understood and practised in Dresden as an opportunity for the entire university, and in this spirit, TU Dresden takes those measures that lead to excellence – by the university, for the university – in cooperation with colleagues here and all over the world. But at the same time neither elitist nor exclusive. TUD’s excellence comes from the heart – from and for our about 32,400 students, 600 professors and about 8,400 members of staff. In this way, excellence becomes the basis, the objective, the approach and the driving force. And that’s why being a top performer can also be so rewarding and enjoyable.

Campus Image © Nils Eisfeld

Company info

Location

Dresden
01069 Dresden
Germany