Open Positions

In the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, the independent research group Receptor Biochemistry invites applications for a

PhD position in (bio)chemistry (m/f/d)
(Salary group E13 TV-L, part-time 65%) 

in the DFG-funded Integrated Research Training Group (RTG) Beyond Amphiphilicity – RTG 2670: Self-Organization of Soft Matter via Multiple Noncovalent Interactions. The position is funded from 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2028.

Who we are:
The Independent Research Group Receptor Biochemistry harnesses the complex interplay between proteases and receptors during plant-pathogen interactions to uncover new molecular strategies for safeguarding crops. Join a vibrant, interdisciplinary research environment where computational chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and plant science converge to tackle real-world agricultural challenges. Information about the research group and the IPB can be found on the homepage: www.ipb-halle.de. To ensure optimal training in the diverse skills required to fulfill the aims of this projects, computational chemistry aspects of the project will be co-supervised by Dr. Mehedi Davari at the IPB (Projects: Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry English) and Chemical synthesis by Professor Martin Weissenborn at MLU (AG Prof. Weissenborn)

Our Research Training Group BEyond AMphiphilicity – BEAM – combines highly original science and research projects that start off from the well-known and simple concept of amphiphilicity. We propose an innovative look at intermolecular interaction patterns that we foster and develop in research projects that span a broad range of modern physical chemistry, materials science, and biochemistry questions. Our qualification program, measures for recruiting, gender equality and family friendliness are equally innovative and ambitious – with the goals of finding the best young researchers early and of empowering all graduates to become proficient in research and be well-equipped for the job market (Beyond Amphiphilicity – RTG 2670: Self-Organization of Soft Matter via Multiple Noncovalent Interactions)

The Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB) is a non-university research institution of the Leibniz Association on the Weinberg Campus of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. As a foundation under public law, the IPB is under direct supervision of the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The IPB is an internationally recognized research institution and consists of four scientific Departments and additional independent research groups (approx. 200 employees, including around 40 doctoral students). Research at the IPB aims to understand the (bio)chemical basis of plant resilience and performance in challenging environments related to climate change. The IPB offers excellent research facilities and state-of-the-art infrastructure to study the chemical diversity, biochemical interactions and biological functions of small natural product molecules in plants and fungi (https://www.ipb-halle.de/en/). 

Research topic:
Dissecting the interactions that lead to selectivity of pepstatin-based probes for photoaffinity labelling of plant aspartic proteases
In this highly multidisciplinary project, we will study the polyphilic interactions that determine the specificity of pepstatin-based probes containing fluorinated amino acids for photoaffinity labelling towards plant aspartic proteases. To understand these determinants, we will harness the diversity of aspartic proteases from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and deploy chemical synthesis, advanced modelling, protease biochemistry, mass spectrometry and structural analysis methods. A detailed analysis of the consequences of this diversification will lead to an increased understanding of the polyphilic interactions in the active site of the proteases and would boost the development of better probes for aspartic proteases of plants and other organisms.

Your tasks:

• Virtual screening and molecular docking of probe variants
• Synthesis of pepstatin derived probes containing non-natural amino acids
• Binding efficiency, inhibition and selectivity tests
• Structure-based analysis of polyphillic interactions
• Presentation and publication of scientific data

The opportunity to obtain your own academic qualification as part of a doctorate is given.

Your profile:

• An excellent MSc degree (or equivalent) in biochemistry, chemistry, biology, computational science, bioinformatics, cheminformatics or closely related field
• Excellent English language skills (written and spoken)
• Highly motivated to work in a cooperative manner within the RTG
• Desirable knowledge and skills include:

o    Understanding of the principles that define protein structures, functions, dynamics and       interactions
o    Protein structure prediction and modelling, e.g. in Rosetta, MODELLER, AlphaFold, etc.
o    Protein-peptide complex prediction or docking, e.g. in Rosetta, AlphaFold multimer, Haddock,       etc.
o    Peptide synthesis
o    Protein purification

Our benefits:

• Excellent working conditions in an international environment 
• Flexible and family-friendly working hours and the possibility of home-office 
• Offer of professional training courses and measures for skill improvement 
• Compensation according to TV-L (including annual special payment) 
• Contribution to your company pension plan (VBL) 
• On-site opportunities for health promotion 

How to apply and information:
Please, contact Dr. Mariana Schuster for additional information (mariana.schuster@ipb-halle.de; Phone: +49 (0) 345 5582 1720)

Applications must include a cover letter describing research accomplishments and interests, a CV plus publication list, and contact details of 2 referees. Please send your complete application documents including the reference number 14/2025 exclusively by email to bewerbungen@ipb-halle.de.

Review of applications begins on August 15th and will continue until the position is filled.

Foreign qualifications must comply with German standards (TV-L-EntgeltO Protokollerklärung Nr. 1 Absatz 4) and be certified (equivalence test in Germany, subject to a fee) and presented to IPB Human Resources at the time of hiring: https://www.kmk.org/zab/central-office-for-foreign-education

Diversity, family and equal opportunities:
The IPB aspires to the goal of equal opportunity, diversity, and the promotion of work-life balance as it was awarded the certificate “Total E-Quality”. In addition, the IPB is a member of the nationwide company network “Success Factor Family” and of the “Diversity Charter” (Charta der Vielfalt). 

Further information can be found at: https://www.ipb-halle.de/en/institute/

Data protection:
Please note the data protection information for applicants (m/f/d) according to Article 13 and 14 GDPR on data protection processing during the application process: 
https://www.ipb-halle.de/en/career/data-protection-information-for-applicants/

There is an open PhD position for research on lipids from archaea in my team. We do membrane biophysical chemistry and have already learned that even small amounts of archaeal lipids change the membrane behaviour of classical phospholipids. Now, we have many more exciting questions.

https://www.verwaltung.uni-halle.de/dezern3/Ausschr/25_5_6094_25_D.pdf 
English version: https://www.verwaltung.uni-halle.de/dezern3/Ausschr/25_5_6094_25_D_eng.pdf

The project is suitable for (bio)chemists, pharmaceutical sciences, (bio)physicists, food chemists, or similar. The candidate can join a graduate school for support in all aspects of becoming a PhD and beyond. Halle is a hidden champion. A lively university city and at the same time affordable, with great social opportunities, and surrounded by varied landscapes. 

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Maria Hoernke, e-mail: Maria.Hoernke@chemie.uni-halle.de.

Please send your application by email only, quoting reg. no. 5-6094/25-D, with the usual documents (including contact details of 1-2 references) as one pdf file by 24.06.2025 to
Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Luise.Quil@chemie.uni-halle.de.

We have two PhD positions available in our Research Training Group BEAM, with a starting date of 1st June 2025 or later.

Position 1 is for a postgraduate researcher with a strong background in theoretical chemistry, and, if possible, also mathematics. We intend to continue work on models for molecules and explore whether simulations of self-assembly can be useful for targeted synthesis.

Position 2 is for a postgraduate researcher with a strong background in chemistry, specifically in organic and metalorganic synthesis of new compounds and materials. We intend to synthesize new low molecular weight liquid crystalline materials and investigate their self-assembly by optical, calorimetric and XRD methods.

The goal is for both researchers to work together in a joint project, and in such a way that it is possible for both to obtain a PhD degree.
There are no teaching duties, but it is possible to get involved in student supervision. The Research Training Group offers plenty of opportunities for personal and professional development.
A good level of spoken and written English is required.
The positions are paid 0.65 % of E13 TV-L (if the conditions are met), for three years.

If you are interested, then please send an informal email with a CV to Rebecca Waldecker (rebecca.waldecker@mathematik.uni-halle.de) and Carsten Tschierske (carsten.tschierske@chemie.uni-halle.de) by  28th February 2025.

If you are a chemist, physicist, or biochemist and want to understand
the self-assembly process of small and medium-sized charged molecules in
binary and ternary solvent mixtures we can offer you an intersting
project that combines synthesizing these molecules and then study their
(mainly electrostatic) self assembly in solution using electron
paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and diverse light- and x-ray
scattering methods.

In case of questions about BEAM, you may always contact Dr. Imme
Sakwa-Waltz, Tel.: 0345 55-25239, E-Mail:
imme.sakwa-waltz@chemie.uni-halle.de, if you want to apply then please
send your documents using the ID BEAM-A2-2 and the usual documents via
e-mail to Prof. Dr. Dariush Hinderberger,
dariush.hinderberger@chemie.uni-halle.de

Du suchst eine Anstellung als wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft?
Williamson-Veretherung, Hydrosilylierung, Grignard-Reaktionen, Carbonsäure Ester Synthese und viele weitere Reaktionen interessieren Dich in ihrer praktischen Durchführung?
Du möchtest dein Talent in den organischen Synthesen zeigen und das Wissen aus der OC Vorlesung praktisch anwenden?
Du möchtest praktische Erfahrung im Umgang mit verschiedenen Messmethoden sammeln?

M. Sc. Christian Anders sucht ab April eine*n Student*in für die organische Synthese von flüssigkristallinen Systemen innerhalb eines Inkubator-Projekts des GRK 2670.

Neben der praktischen Synthesearbeit lernst du ebenfalls praktische Skills wie z.B.:
– Syntheseplanung
– erweiterte praktische Kenntnisse der organischen Synthesechemie
– verschiedenste praktische Aufarbeitungstechniken
– praktischen Umgang mit Polarisationsmikroskopie (POM) und Dynamische Differenzkalorimetrie (DSC)
– Strukturaufklärung mittels Röntgenbeugungsexperimenten (XRD)

Du arbeitest in einem angenehmen und kleinen Arbeitskreis.

Konditionen der Anstellung:
– Zeitdauer: max. 6 Monate, 10h/ Woche
– Vergütung: Nach den Sätzen der Uni

Du möchtest mehr über die anstehenden Arbeiten erfahren? Dann melde dich bei M. Sc. Christian Anders!
E-Mail: christian.anders@chemie.uni-halle.de
oder persönlich: Kurt-Mothes-Str. 2 im Raum 306a

Molecular motion of biopolymers in vivo is known to be strongly influenced by the high concentration of organic matter inside cells, usually referred to as crowding conditions. This project is concerned with the influence of the strong intermolecular interactions on Brownian motion of proteins undergoing liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). This is a process of strong current interest due to its high biological relevance, as it yields highly crowded “membraneless organelles”. In the project, a combination of NMR spectroscopy techniques, prominently relaxometry and pulsed-field gradient NMR [1], shall be used to study rotational and translational diffusion, respectively. The work also includes biochemical preparations of proteins (gammaD crystallin and growth factor receptor-bound protein 2, supported by collaboration partners and following standard procedures easily learned also by a physicist), as well as the application of complementary characterization techniques such as small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and viscosity measurements.

Many important polymer materials are used in their glassy state, such as polystyrene or polycarbonate (PC). In many cases, for instance in PC, the material’s properties can be significantly improved by cold drawing in the glassy state into the so-called strain-hardening regime. The physics underlying the resulting reinforcement is poorly understood and supposedly connected to modified segmental packing through orientational ordering, along with the possible appearance of nanometer-sized domains. This project aims to study this phenomenon in a large Franco-German collaborative effort funded by the ANR and the DFG, involving theory/simulations (D. Long, Lyon), mechanical studies (R. Rinaldi, Lyon) , calorimetric investigations by DSC (P. Sotta, Lyon), X-ray scattering (P.-A. Albouy, Paris) and solid-state NMR spectroscopy (K. Saalwächter, Halle). The doctoral work to be performed in Halle involves the application of advanced 13C-based NMR techniques to extract the molecular orientation information in the samples prepared in Lyon. It is supported by a senior scientist in the group (Dr. G. Hempel), and the candidate will also be able to spend time at the Lyon labs to become familiar with the mechanical and calorimetry parts of the project.

Amphiphilic conetworks consist of two types of polymer chains linked together in a 3D network, consisting of hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks. Such structures form elastic gels that can be swollen with selective or non-selective solvents. In case of a selective solvent, only one phase is swollen and may form a continuous substructure through which small molecules can diffuse. Applications of such materials include soft contact lenses and scaffold materials for tissue engineering. The project aims at a detailed physical understanding of the relations between network structure, local dynamics, diffusion and the macroscopic properties such as elasticity, processing and transport of active molecules (e.g. nutrients for cells). The materials of study are model systems provided by a collaboration consortium (Forschungsgruppe FOR 2811, funded by the DFG). We include both permanent (covalently crosslinked) as well as transient (physically crosslinked) gels. The thesis work mainly involves the application of advanced NMR techniques probing chain dynamics and molecular diffusion (the latter using pulsed field gradients). Other methods are provided by the consortium, but can also be learned and performed by the doctoral student, such as rheology, small-angle X-ray scattering or transport measurements.