PhD candidate (f/m/d)

Application deadline: 23/01/2026

The Collaborative Research Centre/Transregio CRC/TRR 225 “From the Fundamentals of Biofabrication towards Functional Tissue Models” is an interdisciplinary research consortium of the Universities of Würzburg, Bayreuth, and Erlangen-Nürnberg.

The TRR225 aims to develop innovative biofabrication strategies - particularly automated 3D printing technologies - for processing living cells and biomaterials into complex tissue constructs. These advan-ced in vitro models provide new opportunities for pharmaceutical, cancer, and infection research, and offer long-term perspectives for regenerative medicine.

Since its establishment in 2018, the consortium has achieved substantial scientific progress and international visibility and will enter its third funding period in 2026.

The advertised position is part of the subproject C05, working group Prof. C. Villmann, location Würzburg, Germany, which focuses on the establishment of 3D cellular disease models including the design of the extracellular matrix, insertion of various cell types to study the cell-matrix interactions, cell-cell interactions as well as the functionality and thus the applicability to study different disease entities. Our group has setup a murine model for glioblastoma and a model to study breast tumors disseminated to the brain. We will now concentrate on translating those models to human models and finally to drug testing in an experimental clinical setting.

The project is highly interdisciplinary and work in close collaboration to material scientists, chemists and clinicians. Our institute is localized at the University Hospital Campus with well equipped laboratories. The position offers the work in a great team with different focuses in translational neurobiology and a training in various parts of clinical neurobiology. If you want to become part of our team, we are looking forward to your application!    

• Interdisciplinary, collaborative research environment
• Access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities
• Structured PhD training programs (if applicable)
• Opportunities for conference attendance and research stays
• Support for career und personal development

• Setup of a human 3D glioblastoma model
• Cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions
• Functional analysis of the 3D composites

Required qualifications:

• Completed university degree (Master or equivalent)
• Experience in 2D/3D cell culture, primary cell preparation, biomaterials, calcium imaging, rheological measurements, immunocytochemical stainings, live cell imaging, super-resolution microscopy
• RNA preparation and analysis, RT-pPCR

Additional desirable qualifications:

Optional:

• Experience in electrophysiological recordings is welcome
• Experience with computer programming such as R
• Experience with analysis of transcriptomic/proteomic data
• Experience with working with spheroids/organoids is also appreciated

• Challenging, diverse and evolving area of responsibility
• Attractive salary according to TV-L incl. annual special payment
• Training and Continuing Education
• Retirement Pension Plan
• Company daycare center with extended opening hours
• Company sports program
• Flexible Working Hours
• JobBike
• Corporate Benefits

In the case of a university degree from a non-EU country, a long version of the certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education is required.

Remuneration is in accordance with the relevant collective agreements. Severely disabled applicants will be given preference if they are otherwise equally qualified.