PhD Position in Acoustofluidics and Biomedical Device Engineering (f/m/d)

Heidelberg University is a comprehensive university with a strong focus on research and international standards. With around 32,200 students and 9,540 employees, including numerous top researchers, it is a globally respected institution that also has outstanding economic significance for the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region.

The Biomedical Microfluidics Group at Heidelberg University develops ultrasound-driven devices to isolate extracellular vesicles from microlitre samples. We study how acoustic fields trap and separate these particles so that they can be analysed for signs of disease, including cancer.

We invite applications for the following part-time position (75%) for up to three years. The earliest start date is 1 February 2027. A later start is possible by agreement.

PhD Position in Acoustofluidics and Biomedical Device Engineering (f/m/d)

Your tasks:

• Build and test prototype microfluidic devices for vesicle enrichment. Measure how acoustic frequency, power, channel geometry and material choice affect particle trapping and separation.
• Combine ultrasound transducers, electronics and microfluidic components in a working measurement system. Write control routines and test how reproducibly the device performs.
• Work with biologists, chemists and clinical researchers to evaluate the devices and connect separation experiments with downstream analysis
• Publish your findings and present them at international conferences

Your profile:

• A good master’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry, biomedical engineering or a related field. We particularly welcome electrical engineers.
• Hands-on experience from coursework, a thesis or research projects in electronics, instrumentation, acoustics, microfluidics, fabrication or experimental physics
• Curiosity about the physics behind your measurements, initiative and an interest in learning new methods. Programming or data analysis in Python or MATLAB is an advantage, as is experience with finite-element modelling, transducers, microfabrication or rapid prototyping
• Good communication skills in English and an interest in interdisciplinary teamwork. Applicants can join without prior experience in extracellular vesicles or biological assays.

We offer:

• Close doctoral supervision, training in the experimental and analytical methods your project requires, and room to pursue your own research ideas
• Access to microfabrication, acoustofluidics and bioanalysis facilities and collaboration with colleagues in engineering, the natural sciences and medicine
• Support for professional development and participation in international conferences

Remuneration follows pay group E13 TV-L (75%). Monthly gross pay depends on the applicable pay scale and experience step. Current salary tables for Baden-Württemberg are available at https://lbv.landbw.de/leistungen-und-services/gehaltstabellen.

Please email your application to michael.gerlt@imseam.uni-heidelberg.de by 03 December 2026. Merge your CV, a short letter outlining your motivation and relevant experience, academic transcripts and contact details for two referees into one PDF. You may include a brief example of a relevant technical or research project in the same file.

Use the subject line “PhD Application – [Last Name]”, replacing the placeholder with your surname. Only applications using this subject line and a single merged PDF will be reviewed. Informal enquiries are welcome. Please direct enquiries to michael.gerlt@bme.lth.se.

Heidelberg University stands for equal opportunities and diversity. Persons with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Information on job advertisements and the collection of personal data is available at www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/job-market.