PhD Position – Molecular mechanisms of vesicular glutamate transporters

The laboratory of Christoph Fahlke in the Institute of Biological Information Processing – Molekular und Zellphysiologie is looking for a PhD student with a thesis project that focuses on transport mechanisms of neurotransmitter transporters. We are an interdisciplinary group focusing on the molecular and cellular function of membrane transport proteins (Cell (2015) 160, 542-553, Nat Commun (2017) 8, 2279, Nat Commun (2023) 14, 2723, EMBO J (2024) 43, 6740 – 6765, PLoS Comput Biol (2025) 21, e1013214) and on their dysfunction in genetic and acquired human diseases (Nat Genet (2018) 50, 349-354, Brain Commun (2020) 4, fcaa022, EbioMed (2025) 114, 105648).

Your Job

The PhD project focuses on a family of glutamate transporters, vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs), that are responsible for the accumulation of glutamate in synaptic vesicles of glutamatergic synapses in the mammalian brain. VGLUTs are dual function proteins that combine secondary active glutamate transport with chloride channel function; understanding the underlying processes is challenging due to the complex, intertwined nature of both transport functions. The project is based on a combination of cellular electrophysiology (patch clamp), mathematical modeling and molecular dynamics simulations, with the aim to understand transporter function at atomic resolution.

Your job will include taks in the following areas:

Electrophysiology (whole-cell and excised patch clamp recordings)
Kinetic modeling of transporter function
Molecular dynamics simulations, free energy calculations, machine learning/deep learning, Markov State Models, docking

Your Profile

Master degree in the field of Physics/Chemistry/Biology/Mathematics or related
High motivation and interest and/or experience in biophysics and biochemistry
Social competence and good communication skills for collaborative work in and with interdisciplinary teams
Ability to communicate in English

Our Benefits for You

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

Team & Environment: You will work in a motivated team with an international and interdisciplinary focus – at one of the largest research institutions in Europe
Research & Infrastructure: Access to multiple techniques ranging from computational biology on individual proteins to the analysis of organ functions in animal models. Opportunity to get expertise in state-of art techniques and strategies in the field of cellular electrophysiology, kinetic modeling, and molecular dynamics simulations
Networking & Exchange: You will participate in (international) conferences and project meetings and actively build your scientific network
Supervision & Support: We will accompany your doctoral studies with continuous, expert guidance from your academic supervisor
Annual Leave: You get 30 days of annual leave
Knowledge & Development: Your professional development is important to us – we support you specifically and individually e.g., through training and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral candidates . Possible membership in the that provides a complementary research training at the interfaces of biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as transferable skills courses
Health & well-being: Your health is important to us. You can look forward to a comprehensive company health management programme with a wide range of options, including a beach volleyball court, running groups, yoga classes and much more. In addition, our company medical service and an experienced social counselling team are available to assist you on site
Campus experience: Our research campus in the countryside creates ideal conditions for collegial exchange and sporting activities right on site. Our cafeteria offers a wide range of options—you can enjoy a relaxing lunch break with a lake view
Successful start: It is important to us that you quickly settle into the team and are given structured training for your tasks. We also support you from the very beginning and make your start easier with our
Fair remuneration: Depending on your qualifications and assigned responsibilities, you will be classified according to pay group 13 (65%) of the TVöD-Bund. Additionally, you will receive a special payment (“Christmas bonus”) amounting to 60% of one month’s salary. All information about the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on the (pay scale table on page 66 ff. of the PDF download)
Perspective: The position is initially for a fixed term of 3 years but with the prospect of longer-term employment
Support for international employees: Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more:

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: and on specific support options:

Place of Employment: Jülich

Start Date: To the next possible date

Salary: Pay group 13 (65%) of the TVÖD-Bund

Application Deadline: The job will be advertised until the position has been successfully filled