Research Associate / PhD Student (m/f/x)

Technische Universität Dresden

TUD Dresden University of Technology, as a University of Excellence, is one of the leading and most dynamic research institutions in the country. 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.

Biomolecular condensates have emerged as a new paradigm to understand biological functions in living cells. Dresden has pioneered research in the field of biomolecular condensates and developed into its vibrant center. The newly DFG-funded Research Training Group “Biomolecular Condensates: From Physics to Biological Functions- (RTG 3120) at TUD offers an exciting interdisciplinary research environment at the interface of physics and biology. Our goal is to understand biological function and the role of condensates in disease by applying physical principles such as phase transitions and collective phenomena to the study of biomolecular condensates.

The Research Training Group RTG 3120 offers several positions as

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

starting April 1, 2026, subject to the availability of resources, across 12 collaborative thesis projects covering a wide range of approaches - from theoretical physics, to experimental biophysics and biochemistry, and, to cell and molecular biology involving data science. A position comprises 65-75 % of the fulltime weekly hours and is limited until March 31, 2030. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz – WissZeitVG). The positions offer the chance to obtain further academic qualification (usually PhD).

activities, supervision by interdisciplinary thesis advisory committees, and opportunities for international collaboration. Details about each PhD project and Principle Investigator can be found on our website: https://dresdencondensates.org/projects/.

Tasks:

• Performing independent research work on one of the scientific themes of the RTG
• Collaborating with other project partners of the RTG
• Active participation in the structured training program of the RTG including ring lectures, research and PhD seminars, specialization courses, data management workshops and lab rotations
• Implementing the FAIR principles of data management throughout the thesis project
• Organizing the retreats, seminars, and other networking events

Requirements:

• a university degree (Master or equivalent) in physics, polymer science, biophysics, biology, biochemistry or a related discipline
• strong motivation for interdisciplinary research
• proficiency in spoken and written English; German skills are welcome but not required

We offer:

• a stimulating, world leading research environment on biomolecular condensates embedded in a focused, interdisciplinary structured training program and close mentoring
• access to advanced research infrastructure and shared core facilities
• a vibrant and collaborative scientific community in Dresden and internationally

For questions or in case of technical difficulties, contact us at rtg3120@tu-dresden.de.

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. 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 the usual documents (Curriculum Vitae, cover letter, list of relevant academic achievements or publications, university degree certificates and transcripts) via https://bildungsportal.sachsen.de/umfragen/limesurvey/index.php/372424?lang=en. Alternatively, you can download and fill in the PDF application (https://dresdencondensates.org/bps-survey-application-for-a-phd-position-in-the-research-training-group-rtg-3120/) to send it with the necessary documents via the TUD SecureMail Portal https://securemail.tu-dresden.de as a single PDF file to rtg3120@tu-dresden.de.

The applicant is responsible for requesting the reference or recommendation letter from the referee. Letters should be sent by a referee directly via the TUD SecureMail Portal https://securemail.tu-dresden.de by sending it as a single pdf file to rtg3120@tu-dresden.de before the deadline.

In exceptional cases where electronic submission is not possible, applications can be submitted through surface mail to: TU Dresden, Chair of Theory of Polymers at Interfaces, Prof. Jens-Uwe Sommer, Helmholtzstr. 10, 01069 Dresden, Germany. The application deadline is October 24, 2025 (stamped arrival date of the university central mail service or the time stamp on the email server of TUD applies). 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.