PhD position in the research area “Epithelial Cell Dynamics and Transport Processes”

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The Institute for Integrative Cell Biology and Physiology at the University of Münster is seeking to fill the following position as soon as possible:

Research Associate (E 13 TV-L, 65%) in the research area “Epithelial Cell Dynamics and Transport Processes”

The position is a fixed-term contract for three years. The teaching load is 4 semester hours per week for full-time employment.

Your tasks:

Your responsibilities include contributing to research and teaching. The position is linked to the goal of obtaining a doctorate (Dr. rer. nat.) in developmental and cell biology. The doctoral project will investigate how the dynamics of cell contacts and cellular signaling processes regulate transepithelial transport between organs in Drosophila ( Jacobs et al., 2025, Current Biology 35: 1181–1196 ). The project combines molecular and cell biological methods, Drosophila genetics, and state-of-the-art imaging techniques with quantitative image analysis and modeling. It thus offers broad and diverse training in current approaches in developmental and cell biology. Teaching responsibilities include supervising students at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels.

Our expectations:

The required qualification is an M.Sc. degree in Biology, Biochemistry, or a related discipline. Applicants should be independent, dedicated, and collegial, and possess sound experience in cell, developmental, or molecular biology and/or genetics. Excellent written and spoken English skills are required. German language skills are advantageous but not mandatory.

Your benefit:

The position is located at the Multiscale Imaging Center (MIC) . The Institute of Integrative Cell Biology and Physiology and the MIC offer an interdisciplinary, internationally oriented research environment with state-of-the-art microscopy infrastructure and diverse opportunities for scientific exchange and collaboration.

The graduate school of the Special Research Area 1348 “Dynamic Cellular Interfaces ” provides a tailor-made training program with research and soft skills courses as well as measures for career development.

The University of Münster is committed to equal opportunities and diversity . We welcome all applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation or identity. Providing family-friendly working conditions is a matter of course for us.

Applications from women are expressly encouraged. In cases of equal suitability, qualifications, and professional performance, women will be given preferential consideration unless there are overriding reasons related to a male applicant.

Your application should include a cover letter and a CV. The application deadline is October 1, 2026. Please send your application as a single PDF file (one file for all documents) by email to:

Prof. Dr. Stefan Luschnig, University of Münster,
Institute for Integrative Cell Biology and Physiology,
Multiscale Imaging Center,
Röntgenstraße 16, 48149 Münster

Email: luschnig@uni-muenster.de

For further information see https://www.uni-muenster.de/Biologie.IMZ/luschnig/