PhD Position - Quantitative Modelling of Tissue Growth
Are you eager to pursue a doctoral project that bridges scientific disciplines? Are you excited by complex challenges that demand interdisciplinary solutions? Are you fascinated by mechanics of growing tissues?
In a collaboration with Harvard Medical School, we recently discovered how mechanical feedback on growth of cells is regulated by the membrane potential (https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(25)01253-X). This work has only just begun.
At the Institute for Advanced Simulation - Theoretical Physics of Living Matter (IAS-2), we want to extend this model to the third dimension and explore how mutations could effect growth, and quantitatively describe experimental observations as well as study related effects like cell competition or deformations.
Your Job
You will utilize a novel, more performant, framework for tissue growth regulated by membrane potential to study biophysical questions like how cells maintain a given hight, how tissue sheets grow in three dimensions, and how competition between different celltypes play out. Your tasks will include:
- Further development of an advanced simulation framework suitable for high performance computing
- Explore how competition between different celltypes develops
- Develop simplified analytic models for observed phenomena
- Analyse data from experiments from collaborators
- Potentially visit collaborators at Harvard Medical
Your Profile
- Strong motivation for an interdisciplinary project that combines physics and biology together with simulation and data science
- A master`s degree or diploma in physics, biology, biochemistry, informatics or other relevant discipline
- Very good command of written and spoken English with extensive vocabulary is required (at least B2 level according to the CEFR), ideally supported by a certificate confirming the language level
- Knowledge of the German language is not mandatory but a bonus
- High degree of independence and commitment
- Good knowledge of python and C++
- Experience in Simulation sciences are advantageous but not mandatory
- Experience in modelling of tissue growth is advantageous
- Participation and good grades in courses in Theoretical Biophysics, computational methods, python, object oriented programming, c++, Open MP, fluid dynamics, cell biology, will be taken into account
Please feel free to apply for the position even if you do not have all the required skills and knowledge. We may be able to teach you missing skills during your induction.
Our Benefits for You
- Team & Environment: You will work in a motivated team with an international and interdisciplinary focus – at one of the largest research institutions in Europe
- Research & Infrastructure: You will have access to excellent scientific and technical facilities for your work
- Networking & Exchange: You will participate in (international) conferences and project meetings and actively build your scientific network
- Supervision & Support: We will accompany your doctoral studies with continuous, expert guidance from your academic supervisor
- Work-life balance: We offer flexible working hours to help you balance your professional and personal life. You also have the option of flexible working (in terms of location), which is generally possible after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
- Annual Leave: You get 30 days of annual leave
- Knowledge & Development: Your professional development is important to us – we support you specifically and individually e.g., through training and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral candidates (JuDocS)
- Health & well-being: Your health is important to us. You can look forward to a comprehensive company health management programme with a wide range of options, including a beach volleyball court, running groups, yoga classes and much more. In addition, our company medical service and an experienced social counselling team are available to assist you on site
- Fair remuneration: Depending on your qualifications and assigned responsibilities, you will be classified according to pay group 13 (75%) of the TVöD-Bund.In addition to the basic salary, there is an additional year-end bonus under the collective pay agreement amounting to 75% of a monthly salary, as well as capital-forming benefits. All information about the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on the BMI website (pay scale table on page 66 ff. of the PDF download)
- Fixed-term: The position is limited to 3 years
- Support for international employees: Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started
In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more: https://go.fzj.de/benefits
We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.
The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality and on specific support options for women: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey. International applicants can find more information here: https://go.fzj.de/job-journey-internationals
Index number: 2026D-0860
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