2026 Max Planck Institute Postdoctoral Scientist in Subcellular Engineering

The Max Planck Institute of Biophysics is seeking an outstanding candidate to join our team as a postdoctoral fellow in our BMFTR-funded technology development project. We will explore cellular engineering of synthetic compartments and their usage in drug development.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineJanuary 25, 2026
• Study LevelPostdoctoral Fellowships
• SponsorMax Planck Institute
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• Full-time position, available immediately
• Initially limited to two years with the possibility of extension
• Salary according to TVöD, including full public-service benefits
• Access to cutting-edge technologies and training across structural biology, imaging and proteomics
• A dynamic, international working environment and excellent infrastructure
• Career development opportunities, workshops and conference participation
• Family-friendly working culture (on-campus daycare, family room)
• Corporate health programmes, subsidized Deutschland-Job-Ticket, and on-site EV charging

Requirements

Applicants should hold a PhD in biochemistry, molecular/cell biology or a related discipline, with demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following:

• Cell line development, human tissue culture and functional assays
• Membrane protein purification and biophysical characterization
• Development of antibody or small-molecule assays for screening or drug discovery

Experience in cryo-EM/ET, mass spectrometry or flow cytometry is welcome but not required. You will join an interdisciplinary, well-equipped and collaborative research environment. This project sits at the interface of biochemistry, structural biology and synthetic cell engineering, offering the opportunity to transform fundamental discoveries into technologies with start-up potential. We are looking for someone who enjoys innovation, can plan complex experiments independently, and is enthusiastic about technology transfer into an academic start-up setting.

The Max Planck Institute of Biophysics welcome candidates from all backgrounds. The Max Planck Society is committed to gender equality, diversity and increasing the proportion of researchers with disabilities.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

• Please submit your application (cover letter, CV, transcripts and contact details of at least one reference) by 25 January 2026 via the application portal.
• Applications received after this date may be considered until the position is filled.

For inquiries about this position please contact Patrick Hoffmann ([email protected]).