Job Information
Organisation/Company: University of Mainz
Department: Chemistry
Research Field: Chemistry » Organic chemistry; Chemistry » Physical chemistry; Engineering » Materials engineering; Engineering » Chemical engineering; Physics » Chemical physics
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions: PhD Positions
Application Deadline: 30 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin)
Country: Germany
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Hours Per Week: 40
Offer Starting Date: 1 Oct 2026
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No
Offer Description
PhD Researcher Position
3D Printed Synthetic Cells for Chemical Communication
Walther Lab @ University of Mainz – Germany (www.walther-group.com)
Max Planck Graduate Center between MPI for Polymer Research and JGU
Key words: Artificial Cells, Synthetic Cells, Chemo-Mechanical Feedback, pH Feedback Systems, pH Waves, Polymer Chemistry, Responsive Hydrogels, Two-Photon Lithography, 3D Printing, Systems Chemistry
Project Description
Building on our pioneering work on pH-feedback systems and homeostatic synthetic cells (see references below), we want to open a new route to synthetic cells and to their spatial organization: high-resolution 3D printing to enable placement with µm precision into controlled landscapes and tissues. The scientific core of the project is to engineer chemical communication by pH waves to reach sustained oscillations and collective behavior across synthetic cell consortia. Your tasks are roughly centered around:
- Development of enzyme-compatible, pH-responsive hydrogel resins for two-photon lithography
- 3D printing of syncell units, design of spatial landscapes and 3D tissues
- Integration of pH-feedback systems (e.g. urease, glucose oxidase, enzymatic cascades)
- Investigation of communication between syncells via pH waves, and of collective phenomena such as synchronization in syncell consortia
The project unites systems chemistry, advanced microfabrication and quantitative microscopy. It also offers the chance to develop simulation approaches for reaction–diffusion processes to rationalize and predict the behavior. You will be embedded in our team, which holds dedicated in-house expertise in 3D printing, pH-feedback systems and modeling, and you will have assistance on the various aspects of the topic to quickly gain ground.
For excellent candidates, we will pursue an association to the Max Planck Graduate Center to provide you with the widest interdisciplinary networking and career-development opportunities.
We offer:
- a collaborative and interdisciplinary research team with a dedicated mission of making materials and molecular systems intelligent
- a highly engaging and current research topic in excellently equipped lab infrastructures; including a state-of-the-art 3D printer and all analytical facilities needed for your research
- an inspiring environment with international and ambitious teams
- ample opportunities to develop beyond your core project
- a stimulating local research environment with excellent collaboration possibilities
- support for personal development with attendance to conferences, workshops and soft skill seminars
- excellent and close support of PhD researchers
- possibilities for national and international collaboration
Walther Lab. The Walther Lab at JGU Mainz is one of the pioneers in the field of life-like materials and systems at the interface of systems chemistry/chemical reaction networks, DNA nanoscience, polymer materials, and the interface to cells. We are excited to empower systems, materials, and synthetic cells with embodied intelligence – chemical and physical – to endow them with the capacity to compute, adapt, learn, or make simple decisions. We are highly international and interdisciplinary, and act as a team to solve complex challenges. Prof. Andreas Walther has received three ERC grants (Starting, Consolidator and Advanced Grant), is a Max Planck Fellow, and a founder of one DFG Cluster of Excellence (> 270 publications in high impact journals, h-index > 80).
FURTHER READING:
- J. Krehan, C.-R. Li, M. Masukawa, E. Amstad, A. Walther "Homeostatic Artificial Cells Enable Self-Protection in Prototissue Spheroids" Chem 11, 102409 (2025).
- Feature Article. C. Sharma, I. Maity, A. Walther "pH Feedback Systems to Program Autonomous Self-Assembly and Material Lifecycles" Chem. Commun. 59, 1125 (2023).
- I. Maity, C. Sharma, F. Lossada, A. Walther "Feedback and Communication in Active Hydrogel Spheres with pH Fronts: Facile Approaches to Grow Soft Hydrogel Structures" Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 60, 22537 (2021).
- X. Fan, A. Walther "Autonomous Transient pH Flips Shaped by Layered Compartmentalization of Antagonistic Enzymatic Reactions" Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 60, 3619 (2021).
- X. Fan, A. Walther "pH Feedback Lifecycles Programmed by Enzymatic Logic Gates Using Common Foods as Fuels" Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 60, 11398 (2021).
- C. Sharma, A. Walther "Self-Regulating Colloidal Co-Assemblies That Accelerate Their Own Destruction via Chemo-Structural Feedback" Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 61, e202201573 (2022).
- B. Dúzs, O. Skarsetz, G. Fusi, C. Lupfer, A. Walther "Mechano-adaptive Meta-Gels through Synergistic Chemical and Physical Information-Processing" Nat. Commun. 15, 8957 (2024).
- G. Fusi, D. Del Giudice, O. Skarsetz, S. Di Stefano, A. Walther "Autonomous Soft Robots Empowered by Chemical Reaction Networks" Adv. Mater. 35, 2209870 (2023).
- Viewpoint Article. A. Walther "From Responsive to Adaptive and Interactive Materials and Materials Systems: A Roadmap" Adv. Mater. 32, 1905111 (2020).
Where to apply
E-mail: Walther-applications@uni-mainz.de
Requirements
Research Field: Chemistry » Organic chemistry
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Chemistry » Physical chemistry
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Engineering » Materials engineering
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Engineering » Chemical engineering
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
EXPECTED CANDIDATE PROFILE
- highly motivated candidate with a very good degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or Materials Science
- Interest in microfabrication and 3D printing; prior experience with hydrogels, enzymes, polymer synthesis or microscopy is a plus
- Independent and self-responsible work ethic
- Enthusiasm for basic research, creative experimental approaches, and scientific networking
- Excellent English skills and enjoyment of teamwork
Specific Requirements
A very good Master degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or Materials Science is required.
Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Excellent
Additional Information
Benefits
- a collaborative and interdisciplinary research team with a dedicated mission of making materials and molecular systems intelligent
- a highly engaging and current research topic in excellently equipped lab infrastructures; including a state-of-the-art 3D printer and all analytical facilities needed for your research
- an inspiring environment with international and ambitious teams
- ample opportunities to develop beyond your core project
- a stimulating local research environment with excellent collaboration possibilities
- support for personal development with attendance to conferences, workshops and soft skill seminars
- excellent and close support of PhD researchers
- possibilities for national and international collaboration
The position is according to the German salary scale (TV-L 13, 65%) with full social benefits.
Selection process
Please send your full application as a single PDF file with the subject "3D-Printed Synthetic Cells" containing:
- Letter of motivation including a summary of your past research experience and research interests
- A meaningful summary of your Master thesis
- Transcript of records of your Master and Bachelor program
- Curriculum vitae and list of publications
- One, or if possible, two contacts for reference letters
to Walther-applications(at)uni-mainz.de
We look forward to receiving your application!
Additional comments
The position is available from 1 October 2026 onwards (start date flexible) and applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Deadline for applications is September 30th 2026.
More information about the Walther Lab: www.walther-group.com
Website for additional job details: https://www.walther-group.com
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: University of Mainz
Country: Germany
City: Mainz
Postal Code: 55128
Street: Duesbergweg 10-14
Contact
City: Mainz
Website: https://www.uni-mainz.de
Street: Duesbergweg 10-14
Postal Code: 55128
E-Mail: walther-application@uni-mainz.de
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