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The University of Rostock offers a diverse, varied and challenging position in a tradition-conscious, yet innovative, modern and family-friendly university in a lively city by the sea.

At the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Physics, subject to allocation of funds, we are filling the following position at the earliest possible date in a temporary basis for the duration of the project "Label-freie opitische Sensorik für die Entwicklung kardialer Organoide" ending.

PhD student (m/f/d) - experimental physics

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Start date
at the earliest possible date
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Working hours
 part-time with 30 hours
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Remuneration pay group 13 TV-L
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Location Campus Südstadt, Rostock
Tender number
 P 19/2026
Limitation limited until 3 years
Application time 2026-02-28

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information:

HR department:

Kati Barth
Phone number: 0381/498-1312
E-mail: kati.barth@uni-rostock.de

Department:

Prof. Dr. Friedemann Reinhard
Phone number: 0381/498-6840
E-mail: friedemann.reinhard@uni-rostock.de

THESE ARE YOUR TASKS:

  • research on label-free interferometric imaging of action potentials in cells with the goal of obtaining a PhD degree, based on our recent publication Trelin et al., Nano Letters 24, 12374 (2024)
  • operation and extension of an existing microscope setup for label-free interferometric microscopy
  • growth of cell cultures in an existing cell culture laboratory, in collaboration with a medical research group
  • development of quantum-limited microscopy schemes for interferometric imaging, using novel cameras and illumination techniques
  • development of data science algorithms to detect action potentials in video microscopy recordings of cells
  • publication of the results and dissemination in talks on national and international conferences

THIS MAKES YOU A GOOD FIT:

  • MSc degree in a STEM subject, preferably physics
  • strong background in design and construction of optical systems, or clear potential and willingness to build expertise in this domain
  • strong background in biophysics and cell growth, or clear potential and willingness to build expertise in these domains
  • strong background in data science, in particular unsupervised algorithms like principal and independent component analysis, or clear potential and willingness to build expertise in these domains
  • excellent academic track record
  • ability to cooperate in a diverse team and in an interdisciplinary environment
  • willingness to investigate scientific questions in depth and search for fundamental understanding of phenomena

WE AS AN EMPLOYER:

Equal opportunities are important to us. We welcome applications from suitable severely disabled people or people from traditionally underrepresented groups. We aim to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching and therefore encourage suitably qualified women to apply. We welcome applications from people of other nationalities or with a migration background.

WE OFFER YOU:

FURTHER INFORMATION:

We will determine the experience level individually, taking into account your previous professional experience.

The temporal limitation of the employment relationship is based on § 2 (1) Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz.

We look forward to receiving your application (cover letter, CV, degree certificate stating your final grade) by 28.02.2026 at the latest. We can only consider applications received via our homepage. Please send us your documents via the ‘Online application’ button at the end of a job offer. Unfortunately, we cannot accept e-mail applications.

Incomplete application documents may not be considered in the further course of the selection process.

Unfortunately, we can not cover application and travel costs.

Become part of the team

We look forward to receiving your application!