PhD Student (f/m/d) | Multi-scale modeling of biomolecular phase transitions Full-time

PhD Student Position

The newly established research group in Phase Transition Engineering (Group Leader: Dr. Leif-Thore Deck) at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems is inviting applications for a PhD Student position.

Research topic: “Multi-scale Modeling of Biomolecular Phase Transitions”

The position is to be filled as soon as possible and is limited to three years.

Understanding how solids form from fluids is one of the most fundamental questions in the physical sciences. Solid assembly is pivotal to both natural and industrial systems, ranging from the manufacturing of crystalline products in the chemical and (bio)pharmaceutical industries to the formation of functional and toxic protein aggregates in living organisms. Deepening the understanding of biomolecular phase transitions, therefore, directly benefits both industrial and biomedical applications. On the industrial side, the insights gained will aid parallel projects aimed at improving the rational design of biopharmaceutical formulations and manufacturing processes that involve crystallization or precipitation for the purpose of purification. On the biomedical side, the project will contribute to elucidating how the transformation of disease-relevant disordered proteins (such as alpha-synuclein or tau) into toxic condensates or aggregates can be modulated.

Both liquid-liquid phase separation and solid formation of biomolecules are poorly understood from a theoretical point of view, providing many opportunities to make progress. The project comprises three elements that will be tackled in order of increasing complexity: first, predictive models for the thermodynamics of phase separation will be developed. The thermodynamic insights will then be used as the basis for kinetic models, particularly of nucleation and growth. Taken together, thermodynamic and kinetic models then provide access to develop process models of manufacturing processes that involve phase separation and solid formation of biomolecules. All models will be experimentally validated using data generated in parallel projects, either relying on droplet microfluidics (for thermodynamics and kinetics) or on large-scale setups (process models).

Your Tasks

• Development of analytical theories of biomolecular phase transitions, focusing on liquid-liquid phase separation.
• Development of numerical simulation tools, e.g., for process modeling.
• Close collaboration with experimentalist scientists to validate model predictions.

Suitable Candidates

• Hold a Master's degree in the engineering or natural sciences, preferentially in chemical, bio, or process engineering, physics, chemistry, or related disciplines with grades above average.
• Have a strong interest in theoretical and numerical work.
• Have strong communication skills and motivation for cooperation with colleagues.
• Have a very good knowledge of English.
• Have sufficient knowledge of German.

Knowledge and experience in mathematical modeling are advantageous.

We Offer

• A full-time position with a fixed-term employment contract in the public sector for three years, with the option of extension.
• An international and interdisciplinary working environment.
• A collaborative and dynamic working atmosphere.
• Flexible working hours and modern working conditions.

The Max Planck Society is committed to equal opportunities, gender equality and diversity. What matters to us are your qualifications, professional strengths and attitude. We therefore welcome applications from all backgrounds, regardless of gender, cultural or social background, disability, religion, age, lifestyle, ideology, or sexual identity.

One of the Max Planck Society's primary goals is to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented. We are therefore particularly interested in applications from qualified women and encourage them to apply.

The Max Planck Society is also committed to employing more severely disabled people. Severely disabled people and those with an equivalent status will be given special consideration if they are equally qualified. We therefore explicitly encourage applications from severely disabled people.

We will be assessing applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Please apply via our online application portal and upload your complete application documents (letter of motivation, CV, certificates, reference letters).