About the Institute

The Max Planck Institute of Biophysics is a leading international research institute that uses biophysical, biochemical and computational methods to investigate the structure, dynamics and function of cellular systems at the molecular scale. It consists of four scientific departments, multiple research groups and scientific core facilities, with about 300 employees and guests from more than 40 countries. It is located at the Campus Riedberg in Frankfurt am Main.

Prof. Dr. Dr. Hartmut Michel’s emeritus group (formerly department of Molecular Membrane Biology) at the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics aims to recruit a postdoctoral researcher (m/f/d) with a strong background in protein biochemistry, biophysics and structural biology. In particular, the candidate will study structure-function relationship of respiratory terminal oxidases with an emphasis on UV-vis spectroscopy and electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM). The postdoctoral researcher (m/w/d) is expected to work within a team, and also take personal responsibility in the projects and start to develop independent ideas. Our multi-disciplinary institute provides an innovative, dynamic and constructive working environment for this purpose.

Your tasks

• Production, purification and downstream optimization of terminal oxidase samples for structural studies via cryoEM.
• Stable adjustment and spectroscopic characterization of catalytic reaction intermediates and their transitions.
• Single particle cryo-EM sample preparation and data collection using state-of-the-art equipment at our core facility, density determination, interpretation and model building.

Your qualfications

We are seeking

• an outstanding experimentalist with a PhD degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, and biophysics with a strong focus on membrane protein research,
• hands-on experience in cryo-EM and in spectroscopic methods (UV-vis, FTIR, Raman, etc.),
• hands-on experience with molecular biology, biochemistry and budding yeast genetics techniques such as molecular cloning, protein expression and/or purification,
• a creative and hardworking individual that has a strong interest in bioenergetics.

Proficiency in English (both speaking and writing).

We offer

• Training on state-of-the-art instruments and analytical methods
• Interesting and diverse projects in an international lab and research environment
• A friendly working atmosphere with outstanding, state-of-the-art infrastructure
• Position with payment according to German TVöD (Collective Wage Agreement for Government Service Workers - Federal Government) with all benefits of the public service
• A corporate pension plan
• Extensive scientific and personal training programs as well as scientific exchange on workshops and conferences
• Family service (in-house baby and kids’ room, on-campus child day care center)
• Corporate health management (e.g. sports courses)
• Support for the Deutschland-Job-Ticket and destination charging at the institute

Your application

To apply, please send a cover letter (one page maximum), a curriculum vitae, and the contact details of 2-3 references via our application portal until 17.11.2025. Applications received after this date will be considered in the event that the position has not been filled by then. Do you have any further questions regarding this position? Please contact recruiting.mmb@biophys.mpg.de

The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. We are also committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in our workforce. Therefore, applicants of all backgrounds and identities are welcome.