2026 PhD candidate / Research assistant at University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

The RTG “Multiscale Imaging and Analytics of Interfaces in Musculoskeletal Health” brings together an interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), DESY (PETRA III), and Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon.

We combine cutting-edge imaging, experimental analytics, data science, and translational medicine to visualize, understand and predict how musculoskeletal interfaces form, adapt, fail, or regenerate.

Together, our projects integrate advanced imaging, ultra-high-resolution electron microscopy (TEM, SBF-SEM, FIB-SEM), Synchrotron imaging, nano- and micro-CT, SAXS/WAXS, Raman spectroscopy, optical-coherence-tomography, biomechanics, finite cell and finite element modeling, and AI-driven analytics into unified, correlative workflows.

The PhD candidate is working in one of the projects listed below and detailed at www.rtg3144.de/apply-now. In total, we are hiring 10 PhD candidates for the first cohort of the RTG, running for 4 years from 2026-2030. Applicants can apply for a maximum of three of ten projects.

For more detailed descriptions of the projects, training and qualification, and supervision please visit www.rtg3144.de.

• P1 Assessing the impact and predictive value of bone marrow fat, BMD, muscle mass, and muscle fat on fracture risk and outcome using spectral-CT imaging
• P2 Exploring molecular pathways of tendon-to-bone healing in normal and osteoporotic bone remodeling
• P3 The influence of age-related changes in human tendon enthesis, cortical bone microstructure, and myotendinous junction on fracture risk
• P4 High-resolution imaging and analytics of mineralized bone tissue and soft tissues at the bone-tendon-muscle interfaces
• P5 Intra-bone-tissue-interfaces connecting around the osteocyte network: Investigating the relationship between the osteocyte and vascular networks
• P6 The impact of the bone microenvironment on endothelial cell behavior and the reciprocal effects of vascular dysfunction on bone quality
• P7 Development of spatiotemporal deep learning methods for shear-wave elastographic imaging at soft tissue interfaces (application and enrolment at TUHH)
• P8 Assessing the mechanical damping effect of fat in vertebral bone (application and enrolment at TUHH)
• P9 Assessing musculoskeletal intervention using zebrafish locomotion analyses and tissue phenotyping
• P10 What are the sex-specific vascular-driven mechanisms contributing to changes in gait and motion?

These positions are temporary for 4 years due to third-party funding.

Table of Content

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

Summary

• Application DeadlineMarch 1, 2026
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorUniversity Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
• City to studyHamburg
• School to studyUniversity Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• Attractive compensation according to TVöD/VKA
• Secure employment with meaningful work and respectful collaboration
• Comprehensive onboarding and open knowledge exchange within the team
• Extensive training and further education programs at our UKE Academy for Education and Careers
• Opportunities to contribute to our “UKE INside” personnel policy through cross-professional and cross-hierarchical projects
• Sustainable travel: subsidies for the Deutschlandticket as a job ticket, and Dr. Bike bicycle service
• Family-friendly working environment: cooperation on childcare, free vacation childcare, advice for employees with relatives in need of care
• Excellent health, wellness, and sports programs
• A wide range of dining options in our staff restaurant, with additional choices available at the “Health Kitchen” cafés, bistros, and an on-site supermarket

Requirements

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a STEM-related field, including but not limited to biology, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, materials science, life sciences, computer science, mechanical engineering, mathematics, physics, or data science
• Strong motivation to work at the interface of biomedical and engineering research
• Demonstrated interdisciplinary interest, e.g. in imaging, artificial intelligence, biomechanics, medical technology, and musculoskeletal health
• Depending on the specific project, experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Experimental research and laboratory techniques
  • Computational or theoretical research
  • Statistical analysis and data evaluation
  • Programming and data science methods
• Ability and willingness to acquire new methods outside one’s original discipline
• Strong teamwork and communication skills in an interdisciplinary research environment
• High level of self-motivation, resilience, and problem-solving ability
• Willingness to actively participate in a structured qualification and training program
• An interdisciplinary mindset combined with a solid disciplinary background, with openness to diverse scientific perspectives and expertise

Application Documents

• Motivational letter (specify the project you apply for, you can apply to max. 3)
• CV
• Transcript of records/ (Bachelor and Master)
• Recommendation letter (usually by previous supervisor)

Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Konrad Adenauer Foundation Scholarship

Application Deadline

How To Apply

• Applications are made via the Application portal.

For more information, kindly check the University website.