PhD Position in Single-Molecule Biophysics using Fluorescence & DyeCycling/FRET

Level of employment / date of entry
100% / starting Nov 2025 to January 2026 (negotiable)

The Schmid group at the University of Basel invites applications of talented and ambitious candidates for a PhD student position in the field of single-molecule biophysics, for advancing our fluorescence-based DyeCycling/FRET technology to study biomolecular dynamics.

Your position

Biomolecular dynamics, such as conformational changes, are the understudied link between biomolecular structure and function. Single-molecule FRET is an established technique, unique in its capacity to resolve nanometer small conformational changes within single biomolecules (proteins, DNA, RNA), without suffering from ensemble averaging. Its Achilles heel is, however, photo-bleaching of the fluorescent dyes involved, which ends the experiment prematurely, rendering many biological questions inaccessible. To bypass this limitation, our group has developed DyeCycling/FRET, where the dyes are continuously replaced. Building on our published and unpublished work, the successful candidate will advance nanophotonic and fluorogenic DyeCycling to map protein energy landscapes in unprecedented detail, thereby gaining access to previously overlooked effects, like dynamic disorder, with far-ranging consequences for the design and functional understanding of protein systems.

As a PhD student, you will:

• Design and perform fluorogenic and nano-photonic DyeCycling experiments.
• Write/adapt analysis code to process fluorescence trajectories and extract kinetic information.
• Evaluate bioconjugation modalities and probes for DNA/RNA and protein systems.
• Investigate mechanistic effects of biomolecules that were inaccessible previously.
• Collaborate within an interdisciplinary team of biophysicists, nanotechnologists, and biochemists.
• Present your findings at conferences and in high-impact publications.

Your profile

Desired:

• Experience in single-molecule FRET and/or other single-molecule techniques.
• Coding skills for data analysis, pattern recognition, machine learning, kinetic modeling, etc.
• Advanced optics, biochemical wetlab, and/or bioengineering experience.

• MSc degree in physical- or bio-chemistry, nanoscience, physics, or related fields with excellent grades.
• A driven scientist, highly motivated to learn and apply new single-molecule techniques.
• Excellent experimental problem-solving skills, perseverance, and a strong ambition to grow.
• Strong analytical thinking and experience in data analysis with own code.
• Independent thinking, a systematic work style, and an honest colleague.
• A friendly team player with excellent communication skills (English speaking & writing).

We offer you

• An exciting and fully funded PhD project at the University of Basel, Switzerland.
• Embedding in a productive, interdisciplinary group with an open and interactive lab culture.
• State-of-the-art research infrastructure and facilities at the Dept. of Chemistry, the Swiss Nanoscience Institute, and the University of Basel.
• An international and interdisciplinary setting stimulating your professional and personal development.
• A beautiful and very livable city at the intersection of Germany, France, and Switzerland, with wide-ranging sport, leisure and cultural opportunities.

• Motivation letter, stating how your expertise and training align with the project.
• CV.
• Transcripts.
• Contact details of 2-3 referees (email & phone number).