Ph.D. student or Postdoc (m/f/x): Photophyscis and protein-engineering of fluorescent proteins

02.02.2026, Wissenschaftliches Personal

The lab

The Stiel Lab is one of the laboratories at the Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging in the Department of Bioengineering at Helmholtz Munich . Our group focuses on the development and application of genetically encoded agents, primarily for photoacoustic and fluorescence imaging.We use protein engineering to develop agents based on our research into their photophysical properties and structure-function relationship. Finally, we are driving the development of specialized screening, spectroscopy, and imaging instruments forward to complement our molecular tools. One of our main topics are so-called photoswitching proteins whose photophysical properties (e.g. on/off fluorescence emission) can be toggled by illumination with specific wavelengths.

The job

The photophysical characteristics (photoswitching behavior, brightness, absorptions etc.) of the proteins we develop strongly depends on the amino acid surrounding of the chromophore. This is studied by (time resolved) absorption, emission and photoacoustic spectroscopy of protein variants. The work primarily focuses on GFP-like and Bacteriophytochrome-like proteins. The advertised position seeks to complement the more protein engineering driven work in the lab with photophysical mechanistic studies. To this end the candidate will use the combination of our spectroscopy infrastructure, and structural information of the proteins to advance the photophysical research on (photoswitching) proteins developed in the laboratory.

The candidate

The candidate will operate at the interface of protein engineering derived variants (molecular biology, protein biochemistry), structural understanding (structural biology) and photophysical studies (biophysics).

We seek for the following capabilities:
• PhD or Master in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Bioengineering or related topics.
• Photophysical expertise, preferably regarding chromophores in proteins.
• Experience in (time resolved) absorption, fluorescence and or photoacoustic spectroscopy.
• Biophysics education and mindset, especially openness to routine use and adaption of custom-build screening and spectroscopy technologies (i.e. optical hardware).
• Molecular biology / protein biochemistry expertise.
• Experience in analyzing protein structural data (not necessarily acquiring the data).
• Having already worked with GFP-like or Bacteriophytochrome-like proteins is of advantage
. • Experience in seeking to understand (protein-) environmental effects on the photophysical properties of chromophores is of advantage.
• Passion and drive for an academic career.
• High motivation, curiosity, and commitment to scientific excellence.
• Team player skills and enthusiasm to work in a interdisciplinary, collaborative environment.
• Excellent command of the English language

Our offer:

Helmholtz Munich is an internationally recognized top research institution offering a creative and stimulating work environment. With research bridging physics and engineering with chemistry, biology and medicine there are highly diverse opportunities to innovate, collaborate and excel. We support career development, continuing education and teaching and training opportunities. Munich is one of the most attractive and innovative major cities in Germany and a place of scientific excellence and interaction, hosting several of Germany’s top universities and research institutions in addition to the Helmholtz Zentrum München (e.g. TUM, LMU, Max Planck institutes). Situated at the foothills of the Alps, Munich is, furthermore, famous for its high quality of life. The contract will initially be limited to 2 or 3 years with the possibility for further extension. Salary is commensurate with work experience and seniority (TV EntgO Bund EG13 (Postdoc) or EG13 – 60% (PhD student).

As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, TUM explicitly encourages applications from women as well as from all others who would bring additional diversity dimensions to the university’s research and teaching strategies. Preference will be given to disabled candidates with essentially the same qualifications.

Your application:

We look forward to receiving your complete application documents including your letter of motivation, CV, and credentials in a single pdf file via email to André C. Stiel. Thank you for indicating "Post-doc / Ph.D. student - photophysics” in the subject line.

Kontakt: andre.stiel@tum.de