The Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Medical Faculty of the University of Augsburg is offering a position for a

PhD student (m/f/d)

The position is available from 1 September 2026 onwards; interviewing will begin immediately until positions are filled. The position has 3-year DFG-funding with no teaching obligation. It is temporary with the aim of doing a doctorate. Regular scientific work in the group is compensated with 65 % TV-L E 13. The initial place of work will be Garching near Munich, until our lab moves to its final place, the Medical Campus in Augsburg.

We are looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic candidates to join AG Höppner at the Institute for Theoretical Medicine.

The project offers an exciting opportunity to investigate the molecular mechanisms of intramembrane proteases and to gain advanced expertise in membrane protein biochemistry, in vitro enzymology, and structural biology.

We study SPP/SPPL intramembrane proteases, a family of membrane-embedded enzymes that cleave substrates within the lipid bilayer and are linked to neurodegeneration, viral infection, cancer progression, immune signaling, and metabolic disease.

A central goal is to understand how these proteases recognize and process their substrates at the molecular level. To address this, we develop innovative in vitro assay systems for mechanistic and kinetic analysis of membrane proteolysis under defined biochemical conditions. The project integrates membrane protein biochemistry, enzymology, molecular biology, and structural biology approaches to uncover fundamental principles of intramembrane proteolysis.

This position is ideal for candidates interested in membrane protein research, a rapidly growing field with strong relevance for academia and the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative, well-funded, and international research environment. In approximately 1.5 years, the group will relocate to the newly established facilities of the Institute for Theoretical Medicine (ITM) in Augsburg, thus maintaining the excellent infrastructure for our research.

We offer

• Excellent supervision by a dedicated advisor
• Modern research facilities in a well-funded scientific environment
• A varied, responsible, and independent research project with room for your own ideas and initiative
• Open-minded, motivated, and collaborative colleagues
• Extensive training in membrane protein biochemistry and advanced in vitro techniques
• All advantages and social benefits of public service employment in Germany

Your profile:

• Recent MSc graduate in biology, biochemistry, chemistry or related field
• Must have enthusiasm for using and developing new techniques, and
• the interpersonal skills to work within a diverse team of scientists.

The University of Augsburg promotes professional equality for women. Women are expressly encouraged to apply. The University of Augsburg is particularly committed to the compatibility of family and working life. For more information, please contact the women's representative of the faculty. Severely disabled applicants (m/f/d) will be given preference if they otherwise have essentially the same suitability, qualifications and professional performance.

Please send application in electronic form in one single pdf-file to Katja.Ewers@med.uni-augsburg.de

Deadline for the application is

2 July 2026.

Applications should include curriculum vitae (Germans include copies of Abitur- & Diplom-/ Master-Zeugnis), a cover letter stating research and career interests and ideally the names and contact information for references.

Dr. Sabine Höppner
Lehrstuhl für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie
Medizinische Fakultät
Universitätsstraße 2
86159 Augsburg
Telefon +49 (0) 821 598 - 71119
sabine.hoeppner@med.uni-augsburg.de

Labor:
Business Campus Garching
Parkring 11 - 13, 1.OG
85748 Garching b. München