Andreas Walther

Andreas Walther’s Walther Lab at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz is recruiting two PhD researchers in Mainz, Germany. The projects sit at the interface of systems chemistry , synthetic cells , hydrogels , DNA nanoscience , polymer materials , active matter , and mechanochemistry . Project 1: DNA-based Synthetic Cells with Enzymatic Reaction Modules This project focuses on active and adaptive synthetic cells with enzymatic reaction circuits, emergent behaviours such as flow and propulsion, and learning-like features such as habituation and sensitisation. Project 2: Novel Polymer Mechanochemistry using Metamaterials and Chemical Reaction Networks This project aims to design hydrogel-based chemo-mechanical materials in which geometry, mechanics, and chemical reaction networks communicate, enabling materials that process information and feed back on their own configuration. The positions are embedded in a highly international and interdisciplinary team at JGU Mainz, with possible association to the Max Planck Graduate Center between MPI for Polymer Research and JGU Mainz. The flyer indicates funding according to the German salary scale TV-L 13 (65%) with full social benefits. Eligibility highlights: creative and motivated candidates; strong experimental mindset; teamwork; excellent English; and a very good degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry/Biochemistry, biomaterials, or related fields. Helpful experience includes quantitative microscopy, interaction-structure behavior mapping, and simulation tools such as COMSOL Multiphysics. Application window: start from July 2026 or soon thereafter; applications are evaluated on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. The flyer mentions a deadline of end of May 2026. Applicants should submit a single PDF with a motivation letter, transcript, research summary/record, CV, publication list, and references, using the subject line matching the chosen project.

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.

Postdoctoral Researcher positions are available in the ERC Advanced Grant project ProtoEco: Protoecologies between Artificial Cells and Mammalian Cells at the Walther Lab, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany, with close connection to the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research. The project explores how life-like artificial or synthetic cells can coexist, communicate, and cooperate with mammalian cells in structured 2D and 3D environments. The broader goal is to create biohybrid micro-communities that exchange metabolites, energy, and signals, and to understand how these communities may exhibit emergent, adaptive, collective, and homeostatic behavior. The research is positioned at the interface of systems chemistry, DNA nanoscience, artificial cells, polymer materials, biomaterials, and cell biology. Candidates may contribute to one or more of four research directions: polymer-based artificial cells and metabolic coupling; DNA-based artificial cells and molecular computing; artificial-cell/mammalian-cell interfaces and biomaterials concepts; or therapy-oriented adaptive and homeostatic signaling. Possible work includes microfluidic synthesis of polymer capsules and microgels, encapsulation of enzymatic reaction networks, DNA circuit design, mammalian cell co-culture, quantitative microscopy, image analysis, and development of structure–function–behavior maps for biohybrid systems. The lab seeks highly motivated postdoctoral researchers with strong training in chemistry, synthetic biology, biomaterials, bioengineering, cell biology, molecular biology, or related areas. An ideal profile includes a strong publication record, independence, creativity, quantitative thinking, and interdisciplinary teamwork. Excellent English skills and a self-responsible working style are expected. Experience with mammalian cell culture, artificial cells, DNA nanotechnology, reaction networks, microfluidics, biomaterials, or image analysis is especially useful. The positions are full-time, temporary postdoctoral appointments funded by an ERC Advanced Grant and paid according to the German public salary scale (TV-L) with full social benefits. The team offers state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure, international collaboration, strong support for scientific and career development, and opportunities to co-supervise PhD researchers. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled; the first team members are expected to be recruited by the end of November. The stated start date refers to the first positions, and later starting dates may be flexible. To apply, submit a single PDF containing a motivation letter with a short summary of prior research and interests, a CV, a brief overview of key achievements and future interests, a publication list, and contact details for two referees. Applications should be sent to [email protected].

Andreas Walther at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz is inviting applications for a PhD Researcher or Postdoc position in the ERC Advanced Grant project ProtoEco — Protoecologies between Artificial Cells and Mammalian Cells . The project asks bold interdisciplinary questions about whether synthetic cells can live, communicate, and cooperate with mammalian cells, whether ecologies can be built from such systems, and what emergent properties and therapeutic concepts may arise in the biomaterials context. Relevant research interests include chemistry , biology , biomaterials , synthetic biology , artificial cells , synthetic cells , cell biology , systems chemistry , and DNA nanotechnology . The post says candidates with a background in Chemistry, Biology, Biomaterials, or Synthetic Biology may be a strong fit for the interdisciplinary team. No detailed eligibility criteria, funding amount, or deadline are stated in the post itself. Interested researchers should open the full project advert and visit the lab homepage for further details and application instructions.