41,200 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 Group of Quantitative Cell Biology at the Institute of Integrative Cell Biology and Physiology at the University of Münster, Germany, is seeking to fill the position of a

PhD Position / Doctoral Research Associate (Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiterin, Salary level E 13 TV-L, 65%)

at the earliest possible date. We are offering a fixed-term part-time position (65%) for initially 3 years. Full time employees are required to teach 4 hours per week during the semester.

Your tasks:

• The position is linked to a doctoral project. Interested applicants are invited to join an interdisciplinary research team of cell biologists and biophysicists.
• 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 in other biology-oriented disciplines of physics and chemistry (e.g., biophysics, biochemistry, and life sciences).
• Skills in independent scientific work in the context of an experimental master's thesis are required.
• English language skills, both written and spoken, are expected.

Advantages for you:

• You will work on an innovative, state-of-the-art research project in an internationally recognized research laboratory with an excellent infrastructure and a 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); 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 in PDF format to: by 2026-03-27

Reference number: 2026_03_07