About us

The newly funded Cluster of Excellence NaviSense for the Sensory Basis, Mechanisms, and Impacts of Animal Navigation is a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary research project hosted at the University of Oldenburg and involving national and international partner institutions. As a diverse and international team of scientists from biology, physics, chemistry, computer sciences and social sciences we provide a thorough, interdisciplinary understanding of the senses and mechanisms used by animals to navigate, and how these mechanisms can inspire technology and impact society, ecology, and biodiversity.

NaviSense performs research in the areas of

(1) animal navigation mechanisms and their underlying senses,

(2) quantum effects at ambient temperature in model systems and biology,

(3) ecological and conservation related consequences of animal navigation, and

(4) links biological and technical systems through models, algorithms, and devices.

The acquired knowledge can help to solve major societal questions related e.g. to the biodiversity crisis, GPS independent navigation, and quantum sensing at ambient temperature. For more information see https://navisense.org/ .

The Quantum Biology and Computational Physics research group ( www.quantbiolab.com ) is part of the Cluster of Excellence NaviSense and covers a broad range of questions on theory of biomolecules and smart inorganic materials. The main research areas of the group, include quantum chemistry and molecular simulations. The group utilizes and develops theoretical and computational methods including

(1) classical and quantum molecular dynamics;

(2) multiscale techniques;

(6) linear scaling methods.

Of particular interest are those biological processes that trigger energy conversion into forms that are usable for chemical transformations and are quantum mechanical in nature. Such processes involve chemical reactions, light absorption, formation of excited electronic states, transfer of excitation energy, and transfer of electrons and protons in chemical processes.

Your tasks

• Developing and extending computational methods for studying open quantum systems
• Study of electron and spin transfer in complex nonequilibrium many-body systems
• Conducting numerical simulations and analyzing results
• Writing scientific publications and presenting at international conferences
• Teaching and supervising Bachelor/Master students as per university regulations
• Collaborating with other researchers on interdisciplinary research projects and publications
• Participation in NaviSense events like retreats and seminars to present your research, strengthen scientific discussions and team building (see below)
• Mandatory participation in our qualification program hosted in the NavNextGen Academy (see below).

Your profile

Required qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, or related fields, with a strong motivation for theoretical research
• Excellent English language skills (written and oral)
• Experience in computer simulations of many-body systems (this may include classical molecular dynamics simulations, quantum chemical calculations, spin dynamics simulations, or related)
• Programming skills (e.g., Python, C++, Fortran)
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment.

Preferable/Desirable:

• Dedication for the research field
• Enthusiasm for and willingness to engage in interdisciplinary and international collaborations across many different fields of expertise
• Ability to work independently
• Showing team spirit
• Good communication skills.

We offer

• Opportunities to engage in cutting-edge interdisciplinary research at the interface of quantum biology, computational physics, chemistry, and computer sciences
• Being part of a unique interdisciplinary, collaborative, international and diverse research team and scientific environment
• Access to a wide range of expertise, modern equipment and state-of-the-art techniques
• You and your peers will be part of our qualification program hosted in the NavNextGen Academy which will allow you to participate in conferences, excursions, courses, and workshops with great networking opportunities, research training, and career and mentoring programs, to further promote your personal and professional development
• Guidance during your onboarding phase and support during your doctorate
• Payment in accordance with collective bargaining law (special annual payment, public service pension scheme, asset-related benefits) incl. 30 days annual leave
• A family-friendly environment with flexible working hours
• Benefits from the university's health promotion program and possibility to participate in the university sports program.

Our standards

The University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increase the percentage of female employees in the field of science. Therefore, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. In accordance to § 21 Section 3 NHG, female candidates with equal qualifications will be preferentially considered. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in case of equal qualification.

Further information

This PhD project primarily focuses on the theoretical investigation of electron transfer processes in complex molecular environments (such as proteins, molecular scaffolds, solid-state systems). The project is aimed to contribute significantly to understanding of the molecular origins of the enigmatic magnetic field sense in living organisms.

Apply now

Please send your application via e-mail by 25.09.2025 to

ilia.solovyov@uni-oldenburg.de

• Curriculum Vitae
• List of publications (if applicable)
• Statement of research interest
• Contact information of at least two referees

as a single PDF file to Prof. Dr. Ilia Solov’yov.

We look forward to receiving your application!