PhD Researcher Positions – ERC Advanced Grant ProtoEco: Protoecologies between Artificial Cells and Mammalian Cells Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz in Germany

PhD Researcher Positions are available in the ERC Advanced Grant project ProtoEco: Protoecologies between Artificial Cells and Mammalian Cells in the Walther Lab at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany, with close links to the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research. This is a funded doctoral opportunity in an ambitious, interdisciplinary research environment at the interface of chemistry, biomaterials, synthetic biology, and cell biology.

The project explores how life-like artificial cells and mammalian cells can coexist, communicate, and cooperate in structured 2D and 3D environments. The overarching goal is to create biohybrid micro-communities that exchange metabolites, energy, and molecular signals, and to understand how collective, adaptive, and potentially homeostatic properties can emerge from these interactions. The research aims to open new directions in intelligent biomaterials, tissue engineering, and adaptive therapeutic systems.

Applicants can contribute to one or more of several research directions. One area focuses on polymer-based artificial cells, biointeractive materials, and metabolic coupling, including microfluidic synthesis of polymer capsules and microgels, encapsulation of enzymatic reaction networks and feedback systems, and mapping metabolic exchange with mammalian cells. A second direction centers on DNA-based artificial cells and molecular computing, including DNA circuits, molecular logic gates, and signal-processing compartments that communicate with living cells. A third area investigates artificial-cell/mammalian-cell interfaces and biomaterials concepts through co-culture, co-spheroids, 2D/3D organization, microscopy, image analysis, and structure–function–behavior relationships. A fourth direction targets therapies and applications such as artificial cells that sense disease-relevant signals and generate regulated outputs for tumor-microenvironment or immunotherapy-related models.

The lab emphasizes synthetic and adaptive molecular systems, DNA nanoscience, polymer gels, enzymatic reaction networks, biointerfaces, and mammalian cell systems. The environment is collaborative and international, with strong supervision, access to advanced analytical, imaging, materials, and cell-culture facilities, and opportunities to contribute ideas within the broader ProtoEco framework. The position is particularly well suited to candidates with a strong background in chemistry, physical chemistry, biology, biological engineering, or biomedical engineering, and with experience or interest in biomaterials, synthetic biology, microfluidics, DNA nanotechnology, cell culture, or image analysis.

The positions are funded and paid according to the German public salary scale TV-L with full social benefits. Multiple PhD positions are available, and the first team members are expected to start from 1 December 2026 (flexible starting dates). The application deadline is 30 November 2026, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.

To apply, send a single PDF including a motivation letter, CV, Bachelor’s and Master’s transcripts, a summary of your Master’s thesis, publications if applicable, and contact details for two referees to [email protected]. Further information about the lab and project is available at the Walther Lab website.