Ph.D. Position: Decoding Cellular Conversations: time-resolved transcriptomics for Cellular Communication and Cell Plasticity (m/w/d)

21.01.2026, Wissenschaftliches Personal

Are you interested in combining state-of-the-art omics with synthetic biology to enable non-destructive, multi-timepoint transcriptomic analyses? Do you want to study cell-to-cell communication and cellular plasticity using cutting-edge, longitudinal gene expression tracking? Then apply for this Ph.D. position within the BioSysteM cluster for synthetic biology in Munich. The project lies at the interface of synthetic biology, transcriptomics, and organoid technology.

About the Project

Our team (westmeyerlab.org) at the Munich School of Bioengineering (TUM) and Helmholtz Munich develops novel synthetic biology tools for longitudinal cellular interrogation. We have developed methods that allow cells to autonomously export transcriptomic information at multiple timepoints, enabling researchers to track dynamic changes in gene expression during cell-to-cell communication, and cellular plasticity—all without destroying the sample. (https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(25)00288-0, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.11.11.622832v1).

This position offers the unique opportunity to apply and further develop these innovative reporter systems while addressing fundamental questions in cellular neuroscience and regenerative medicine.

Your Profile

• An excellent and recent Master's degree in computational biology, synthetic biology, bioinformatics, biophysics, biochemistry, or related fields
• Strong interest in combining synthetic biology with -omics technologies to study dynamic cellular processes
• Experience or keen interest in transcriptomics analysis, molecular biology, advanced cloning, and mammalian cell culture
• Computational skills for data analysis are highly valued
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team of bioengineers, neuroscientists, and data scientists
• Excellent English communication and organizational skills
• Openness to collaborate with partners within the BioSysteM cluster and international institutions such as Caltech, MIT, University of Washington.

We Offer

• Access to cutting-edge synthetic biology tools and omics technologies
• Integration into the new BioSysteM cluster, a vibrant collaborative environment for synthetic biology in Munich
• State-of-the-art infrastructure at TUM and Helmholtz Munich
• Competitive salary according to TV-L E13 (75%)

Start Date

As soon as possible.

About TUM

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) combines top-class facilities for cutting-edge research with unique learning opportunities. It is committed to finding solutions to the major challenges facing society. All this combines to make it one of Europe's leading universities.

Applications from disabled persons with essentially the same qualifications will be given preference. TUM strives to raise the proportion of women in its workforce and explicitly encourages applications from qualified women.

How to Apply

Please send your letter of motivation and complete CV to ga49qal@mytum.de.

Kontakt: Please send your letter of motivation and complete CV to ga49qal@mytum.de.