Academic research assistant (m/f/x)
Saarland University is a campus university that is internationally recognized for its strong research programmes. Fostering young academic talent and creating ideal conditions for teaching and research are a core part of the university’s mission. As part of the University of the Greater Region, Saarland University enables students and staff to share and exchange knowledge and ideas between disciplines, between universities and across borders. With over 17,000 national and international students, studying more than a hundred different academic disciplines, Saarland University is a diverse and dynamic learning environment. [Saarland University is officially recognized as one of Germany’s family-friendly higher-education institutions and with a combined workforce of more than 4,000 it is one of the largest employers in the region.]
The Chair of Synthetic Biology in Department of Biosciences is inviting applications for the following position commencing at the earliest opportunity.
Academic research assistant (m/f/x)
Reference number W2819, salary in accordance with the German TV-L salary scale1, pay grade: E13 TV- L, duration of employment: 2 years with the possibility of extension, volume of employment: 100 % of standard working time.
Workplace/Department:
Saarbrücken Campus, University of Saarland
Job requirements and responsibilities:
• Reconstitute metabolic pathways in synthetic and cellular environments such as yeast cells,
• Using bottom-up synthetic biology principles to design and implement innovative cell engineering strategies,
• Engineering of metabolic pathways in synthetic and live cells,
• Integrate concepts from synthetic biology, cell biology and biophysics to build functional synthetic cellular modules,
• Analyse data using quantitative and computational approaches,
• Contribute to high-impact publications and scientific presentations, collaborating with an interdisciplinary team and mentoring junior researchers,
• Contribute to teaching in Bachelors and Masters programmes,
• We offer an international, interdisciplinary, collaborative and intellectually vibrant research environment with cutting-edge research facilities (e.g. advanced microscopy and microfluidics) and opportunities for scientific growth and a tailored career plan.
Your academic qualifications:
• Doctoral degree / PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, biophysics or related life-science field,
• Good command of English.
The successful candidate will also be expected to:
• Have a demonstrated track record of peer-reviewed publication/s,
• Be motivated, reliable, and able to work collaboratively and independently,
• Be expert in molecular biology techniques,
• Have experience with protein expression and purification (highly desirable),
• Have experience in working with biomolecular condensates in living and synthetic cells,
• Have experience with advanced microscopy methods,
• Have knowledge of cellular metabolism,
• Be familiar with and apply quantitative experimental methods such as fluorescence microscopy, kinetic assays and analysis,
• Use creative problem-solving skills and strong analytical reasoning,
• Adhere to good scientific practice,
• Work in an interdisciplinary manner,
• excellent written and verbal communication skills in English with the willingness to learn German.
What we can offer you:
• A flexible work schedule allowing you to balance work and family, among other things the possibility of teleworking,
• Secure and future-oriented employment with attractive conditions,
• A broad range of further education and professional development programmes (for example language courses),
• An occupational health management model with numerous attractive options, such as our university sports programme,
• Supplementary pension scheme (RZVK),
• Discounted tickets on local public transport services (‘Job-Ticket‘ of the saarVV),
• Job bike leasing (JobRad),
• We offer an international, interdisciplinary, collaborative and intellectually vibrant research environment with cutting-edge research facilities (e.g. advanced microscopy and microfluidics) and opportunities for scientific growth and a tailored career plan.
If you are driven by curiosity, excited by the prospect of building cellular systems from the bottom-up, and driven to contribute to finding creative solutions for generating a Life 2.0, we look forward to receiving your meaningful online application (in a PDF file, including a CV with publications list, 2 references and 1-page research motivation.) by 08.04.2026 to ag-synbio@uni-saarland.de. Please include the reference number W2819 in the subject line of the e-mail.
If you have any questions, please contact us for assistance. Your contact:
Frau Anjali Anilkumar
Synthetic Biology
Tel.: 0681 302-68561
Pay grade classification is based on the particular details of the position held and the extent to which the applicant meets the requirements of the pay grade within the TV-L salary scale. Part-time employment is generally possible.
If you have obtained a foreign university degree, a proof of the equivalence of this degree with a German degree by the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) is needed before hiring. If necessary, please apply for this in time. You can find more information at https://www.kmk.org/zeugnisbewertung.
Unfortunately, neither costs for attending an interview at Saarland University nor costs for any certificate evaluation by the ZAB can be reimbursed in principle.
We welcome applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation and identity. In accordance with its policy of increasing the proportion of women, the University actively encourages applications from women. Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability.
When you submit a job application to Saarland University you will be transmitting personal data. Please refer to our privacy notice for information on how we collect and process personal data in accordance with Art. 13 of the Datenschutz-Grundverordnung. By submitting your application you confirm that you have taken note of the information in the Saarland University privacy notice.
1 TV-L = collective agreement on remuneration of public sector employees in the German Länder
The pay grade assigned to an employee depends on their professional qualifications and the number of years of service. Each pay grade is further subdivided into levels. Entry-level employees with no previous experience will initially be assigned a level 1 rating. After one year at level 1 of the E10 pay grade, an employee will move up to level 2. After a further two years, the employee will move to level 3, etc.