Posted: 24 Aug 2026
Job Information
- Organisation/Company: Hector Fellow Academy
- Research Field: Engineering; Biological sciences » Biological engineering
- Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Positions: PhD Positions
- Application Deadline: 1 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin)
- Country: Germany
- Type of Contract: Temporary
- Job Status: Part-time
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Not funded by a EU programme
Offer Description
About the project
The Introini Lab (https://mpzpm.mpg.de/research/viola-introini) seeks a motivated PhD candidate for the MalVISTA project, developing a 3D human inner blood–retinal barrier model to study malaria retinopathy—a key indicator of cerebral malaria. Despite treatments, cerebral malaria causes high mortality and neurological damage in children, as current therapies fail to protect vasculature. The retina offers a unique window into cerebrovascular pathology. MalVISTA combines tissue engineering, microfluidics, vascular biology, and malaria biology to investigate vascular occlusion, barrier breakdown, and neurological injury.
Research objectives
The candidate will develop a human 3D blood–retinal barrier model to study how Plasmodium falciparum causes vascular occlusion and dysfunction. The project uses soft lithography, microfluidics, tissue engineering, microscopy, and single-cell transcriptomics to recreate retinal microvascular networks and identify mechanisms of vascular injury. Tasks include designing microvessels, culturing retinal cells, conducting infection experiments, and analyzing vascular function.
Research environment
The project is based in the Introini Lab at the Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin (MPZPM) in Erlangen, Germany, which focuses on human vascular models for host–pathogen interactions and neurovascular diseases. The MPZPM is a joint research center of FAU, UKER, and MPL, studying cells in their physical microenvironment. The PhD candidate will collaborate with researchers from physics, engineering, medicine, computational biology, and vascular biology and have access to state-of-the-art facilities in microfabrication, microscopy, sequencing, and bioengineering.
Where to apply
Website: https://hectorfellowacademy.applicationportal.org/
Requirements
- Research Field: Engineering
- Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field: Biological sciences
- Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who is excited to tackle fundamental biomedical questions using quantitative biological and engineering approaches.
- Excellent Master's degree (or equivalent international qualification) with a final grade equivalent to ≤ 1.7 in the German grading system.
- Degree in Physics, Biophysics, Bioengineering, Tissue engineering, Biotechnology or a related discipline.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
- Previous research experience in at least one of the following areas: Microfluidics; 3D in vitro models (preferred retinal or brain).
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment.
Desirable qualifications:
- Experience with 3D human cell culture systems.
- Experience with CAD software (e.g. Fusion 360, SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and COMSOL Multiphysics.
- Experience with image analysis (ImageJ/Fiji, Python, MATLAB, or R).
- Experience with transcriptomics or single-cell RNA sequencing analysis.
- Interest in retinal biology, vascular biology, neuroscience, host-pathogen interaction
Previous experience in malaria research is not required. Candidates with strong quantitative, engineering, or biophysical backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply.
- Languages: ENGLISH
- Level: Excellent
Internal Application form(s) needed
2026_HFA_AdvertisedPosition_Viola_Introini.pdf (English, 353.18 KB - PDF)
Additional Information
Benefits
- The position is funded 3 + 1 year. The initial contract is issued for one year and extended upon satisfactory progress.
- Salary according to TVöD-L E13 (75%).
- Funding through the Hector Fellow Academy Doctoral Researcher Programme.
- Research funding of up to €9,500 per year.
- Annual participation in a management module of the HECTOR School of Engineering & Management MBA Fundamentals Programme.
- Participation in the Hector Fellow Academy training and networking programme.
- Opportunities to collaborate with leading researchers across the Hector Fellow Academy network.
Selection process
Please apply via the Hector Fellow Academy application portal. Hector RCD Awardee Viola Introini will arrange interviews via zoom and/or in-person with the most promising applicants.
Additional comments
For informal enquiries regarding the project, please contact: Dr. Viola Introini: viola.introini@mpzpm.mpg.de For questions related to the application process or the application portal, please contact Hector Fellow Academy Office: application@hector-fellow-academy.de or www.hector-fellow-academy.de
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL) & Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin (MPZPM)
Country: Germany
State/Province: Bayern
City: Erlangen
Postal Code: 91054
Street: Kussmaulallee 2
Contact
City: Karlsruhe
Website: http://www.hector-fellow-academy.de/
Street: Schlossplatz 19
Postal Code: 76131
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