Three Academic Researcher Positions (f/m/d) Part-time

PhD Positions in Hyperpolarized Magnetic Resonance Group

The Hyperpolarized Magnetic Resonance Group at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology / IBG4 develops hyperpolarization techniques to boost the sensitivity and throughput of liquid-state nuclear magnetic resonance by orders of magnitude. This project is funded by the CRC Hyperion.

Your Tasks

We have openings for up to 3 PhD positions:

Drug Screening

You will push the screening capabilities of our automated bullet-DNP platform from currently 80 compounds/day towards 1000 compounds/day. Prior experience in NMR is highly desirable. Prior experience in instrumentation / CAD and data analysis and programming (Python) is beneficial. This project is funded by our ERC Synergy grant HiSCORE and will be carried out in particular in close collaboration with the ETH Zurich.

Imaging

You will extend the bullet-DNP methodology to magnetic resonance imaging. You will implement:

• experiments on phantoms with a view towards in vivo applications and
• magnetic resonance spectorscopy imaging for the rapid determination of affinity constants in drug screening

Prior experience in either NMR or MRI is highly desirable, experience in instrumentation / programming is beneficial. This project is funded by our ERC Synergy grant HiSCORE and will be carried out in collaboration with all partners of the HiSCORE project.

Low-field Dynamic Nuclear Polarization

You will develop hyperpolarization techniques that can produce hyperpolarized solids with near unity spin polarization at low temperatures and low magnetic fields. Two complementary strategies will be pursued:

• solid-state photo-CIDNP (collaborations with EPFL Lausanne and University of Leipzig) and
• hyperpolarization based on the large rotational splittings of freely rotating methyl groups

Your Profile

• A completed university degree (Master's/Diploma) in chemistry, physics or a related discipline
• Experience in the field of magnetic resonance
• Knowledge of cryogenic instrumentation is desirable
• Good written and spoken English skills

Please submit a CV and a motivation letter.

We Offer

• Science for Impact: Engage with topics of societal relevance — in an excellent scientific environment that enables change.
• Flexible Working Hours: Take advantage of flexible‑hours schemes, remote‑work options, and a 30‑day annual leave entitlement to achieve an optimal work‑life balance.
• Career‑Building and Developmental Opportunities: We provide you with a structured onboarding program, a broad spectrum of continuing‑education options, and personalised support, thereby fostering your individual growth.
• Family-friendliness: The “KIT‑Family +” program assists you in reconciling work and family life by offering childcare services, holiday activities, a parent‑child office space, and assistance with caring for relatives.
• Stay Healthy: Under the motto “Fit at KIT – Body, Mind and Soul,” we promote your well‑being through fitness classes, mental‑health programmes, and regular preventive health examinations.
• Individualised Extra Benefits: Enjoy a corporate pension (VBL), a €25 monthly contribution toward a JobTicket BW, plus a broad selection of cultural and recreational programmes.

Job location: Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen (and Karlsruhe)

Salary: Salary category 13 TV-L; classification is based on personal and professional qualifications.

Contract duration: 3 years

Contact person in line-management Dr. Benno Meier benno.meier@kit.edu +49 721 608-29353

If you have general questions about the application process, please contact Daniela Wörner Personalservice (PSE) daniela.woerner@kit.edu +49 721 608-25006

Application up to: 2026-07-29 Job posting number: 318/2026