PostDoc – Quantitative modelling of Sperm Dynamics Full-time

Your Job Title

This work will be performed as part of an agile team unified by a common goal: An Industry partner from semen production provides fresh sperm cells and pre-analysis. A second industry partner from data sciences provides data management and AI-based image analysis, an internal experimental group, and an internal simulation-sciences group (You+Supervisor+support by lab). These collaborations enable practically relevant and breakthrough results. This team goal requires a quantitative model describing and predicting sperm motility under various conditions. You will develop the digital twin of sperm motility, and utilize it to develop a separation method. Your tasks will include:

1. Performing computer simulations and matching them to experimental data
2. Very close collaboration with experiments, including occasional wet lab work
3. Merging experimental results, simulations, and literature for optimal conditions inducing movement differences, in collaboration with the team
4. Participation in conferences in Germany and abroad (incl. presenting your research results)
5. Travel to industry partners to learn and set up on-site research
6. Preparing scientific publications and project reports

Your Profile:

• Strong motivation for an interdisciplinary project that combines physics and biology together with simulation and data science and practical relevance
• A master’s degree or diploma and subsequent PhD in biophysics, biology, biochemistry, or other relevant discipline
• Excellent written and spoken English skills
• High degree of independence and commitment
• Good knowledge of python and C++
• Experience in relevant work tasks are advantageous but not mandatory: Simulation sciences, ideally modelling microswimmers, Wet-Lab work, Different forms of microscopy

Our Offer:

• Excellence in research: As one of Europe’s largest and most multidisciplinary research centres, Forschungszentrum Jülich provides access to world-class infrastructure and a vibrant international scientific community.
• International environment: Work in an experienced and friendly international research team with strong expertise in biophysics and soft matter.
• Industry collaboration: Benefit from direct integration into a science-industry collaboration with practical relevance
• High-performance computing: Leverage cutting-edge computational resources, including access to top European supercomputers on site.
• State-of-the-art infrastructure: Enjoy excellent scientific and technical infrastructure — both within the group and across the entire research campus.
• Networking: Participate in (international) conferences and project meetings
• Flexibility: Flexible working time models, including options close to full-time, allow you to tailor your working hours to suit your individual needs
• Work-life balance: The option of flexible working (in terms of location) is generally available after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
• Vacation: You will receive 30 days of vacation plus additional days off (e.g. between Christmas and New Year’s)
• Fixed-term: The position is limited to 2 years but with the prospect of extension
• Fair remuneration: Depending on your existing qualifications and the tasks assigned to you, you will be classified in pay grade 13 of the TVöD-Bund (Collective Agreement for the Public Service). All information on the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on the BMI website. The monthly salaries in euros can be found here.
• 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. 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: and on specific support options: