Job advertisement

Vacancy ID: 340/2025
Closing date: 2026-01-16

The Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a dynamic and innovation-driven university centrally located in Germany. With a broad range of disciplines, it shapes the future through excellent research and teaching. Its scientific excellence is reflected in the profile areas Light – Life – Liberty, which provide pioneering insights and sustainable solutions for the society of tomorrow. Through close collaborations with leading research institutions, innovative companies, and renowned cultural organizations, it advances interdisciplinary developments. With around 17,000 students and approximately 10,000 employees, it defines Jena as a vibrant, internationally connected city of science and innovation.

Are you interested in contributing to innovative research with the potential to improve healthcare?

The Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics (Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences) seeks to fill the position of a

Research Associate – Pharmaceutical Biomaterials

commencing on 01 March, 2026 (or earlier).

We offer a part-time position (50%, 20 hours per week), offered as a fixed-term position for four years. It includes the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree.

About the research project and our laboratory:

Drug delivery continues to face critical challenges, particularly regarding stability and bioavailability. The research project addresses these gaps by developing innovative strategies for the pulmonary application of therapeutic proteins with a focus on mucosal immunization and treatment of lung diseases, including cancer. In this context, you will generate and characterize inhalable protein formulations, using the biopolymer silk as carrier system. This work is embedded within our department’s broader research focus on the medical applications of biopolymers and involves a range of advanced pharmaceutical, biological, biochemical, and chemical methods. For more information, please visit: .

Your responsibilities:

• Develop and characterize nanoparticulate silk-based formulations.
• Conduct physicochemical and functional testing to ensure formulation efficacy.
• Establish and apply in vitro lung models, including state-of-the-art air-liquid-interface cell cultures.
• Analyze research findings, prepare publication-quality figures, and author scientific manuscripts.
• Present your results at esteemed local, national, and international conferences.
• Carry out an independent PhD project in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment.
• Contribute to student supervision in laboratory courses and internships (German language skills beneficial), and assist in the training of e.g., diploma students, student or research assistants.
• Foster a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative team environment.

Your profile:

• Completed university degree in Pharmacy, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or related fields.
• (Optional) License as a pharmacist.
• Strong interest in working at the intersection of pharmacy, biotechnology, and new biomaterials.
• Ability to work independently and organized, combined with a strong team spirit.
• High flexibility, commitment, and a proactive, solution-oriented approach to research challenges.
• Excellent communication skills in English, with German proficiency as an advantageous asset.

We offer:

• Integration into national and international scientific networks.
• Structured doctoral training with professional mentoring, soft skills development, and interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities.
• Opportunity to specialize in Pharmaceutical Analytics and Technology – Weiterbildung zum Fachapotheker im Gebiet „Pharmazeutische Analytik und Technologie“.
• Vibrant cultural and scientific environment in Jena – the "City of Science".
• University health promotion and a wide range of university sports activities.
• Attractive fringe benefits, e.g., capital formation benefits (VL), an occupational pension (VBL), and a job ticket with public transport discounts.
• Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) at salary scale E13— depending on the candidate’s personal qualifications—, including a special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement.
• 30 days of vacation annually, plus additional two days off on December 24 and 31.

The advertised position is (initially) offered as a fixed-term position for a maximum of four years.

This is a part-time position with 50% of the working hours of a full-time employee (20 hours per week).

Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability. We are committed to diversity and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

For informal inquiries, please contact Dr Simone Berger, lead researcher for this PhD position ().

Interested in joining our dynamic team? Please apply by January 16, 2026, using our online application form.

For further information for applicants and the information on the collection of personal data, please refer to