42,500 students and 7,750 employees in teaching, research and administration, all working together to shape perspectives for the future – that is the University of Münster. Embedded in the vibrant atmosphere of Münster with its high standard of living, the University’s diverse research profile and attractive study programmes draw students and researchers throughout Germany and from around the world.

The Quantitative Cell Biology Research Group at the Institute of Integrative Cell Biology and Physiology at the University of Münster is seeking to fill multiple positions for a

Doctoral Research Associate (Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiterin, salary level E 13 TV-L, 65%)

**at the earliest possible date. We are offering these fixed-term part-time positions (65% FTE), initially, for 3 years.

These positions are linked to working towards a doctoral project. Interested applicants are invited to apply to join an interdisciplinary research team of cell biologists and biophysicists.**

Your tasks:

• In the project, you will learn and apply a range of innovative microscopy techniques (fluorescence microscopy, FLIM-FRET microscopy, optomechanics) to investigate the biology of mammalian cell adhesion mechanics, intracellular force propagation and nuclear mechanics.
• The work will be accompanied by participation in a structured graduate program to gain additional qualifications during your doctoral studies.

Our expectations:

• The prerequisite for application is a strong motivation and a completed master's degree in the life sciences such as biology, molecular biology, and biomedicine or a biology-oriented discipline within physics or chemistry (e.g., biophysics or biochemistry).
• Skills in independent scientific work in the context of an experimental master's thesis are required.
• advanced English language skills, both written and spoken, are expected.
• German language skills would be advantageous, but are not a requirement.

Advantages for you:

• You will be working on an innovative, state-of-the-art research project in an internationally recognized research laboratory with an excellent infrastructure and friendly atmosphere.
• As a university employee, you are entitled to numerous benefits afforded to public servants, e.g. an attractive company pension scheme (VBL), an annual end-of-year bonus and a position that is shielded from economic fluctuations.

Selected publications of previous PhD projects include: Sadhanasatish, T. et al. Science Advances (2023); Fischer, L.S. et al. Nature Commun (2021); Kanoldt, V. et al. Nature Commun (2020); Ringer, P. et al. Nature Methods (2017); and Austen, K. et al. Nature Cell Biol (2015).

The University of Münster strongly supports . We welcome all applicants regardless of sex, nationality, ethnic or social background, religion or worldview, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity. We are committed to creating family-friendly working conditions.

We actively encourage applications by women. Women with equivalent qualifications and academic achievements will be preferentially considered unless these are outweighed by reasons which necessitate the selection of another candidate.

Are you interested? Then send your application including a CV, relevant certificates, and a letter of motivation as a single PDF file to: by 2026-02-28.

Please note that we cannot consider other file formats.

Reference number: 2025_09_05