Birgit Strodel

This fully funded PhD position at Forschungszentrum Jülich (Institute of Biological Information Processing, IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry) offers an exciting opportunity to join the EU Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network project LipAgg. The LipAgg consortium unites leading academic and industrial partners across six European countries to investigate the role of lipids in protein aggregation toxicity and propagation. The successful candidate will focus on multiscale molecular dynamics simulations to characterize how amyloid protein-lipid complexes interact with and affect lipid membranes, with a particular emphasis on Aβ, IAPP, and αS proteins. Supervised by Prof. Birgit Strodel, and with a secondment under Prof. Rita Guzzi, the doctoral candidate will develop advanced computational models ('digital twins') using high-performance simulations, enhanced sampling, and AI-driven approaches. The project is highly interdisciplinary, bridging computational biophysics, experimental biophysics, and AI. The candidate will undertake two international secondments: a three-month placement at Aminoverse (Netherlands) focusing on AI for protein modeling, and a six-month placement at the University of Calabria (Italy) to conduct EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance) spectroscopy experiments. This unique combination of simulation and experimental work will provide a comprehensive understanding of amyloid-membrane interactions. The PhD student will be enrolled at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, which will confer the doctoral degree. The position includes participation in specialized training, international conferences, and collaborative research within the LipAgg network. The candidate will also contribute to scientific publications and outreach activities, ensuring broad professional development in computational biophysics, AI, and experimental spectroscopy. Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Physics, Biophysics, Chemistry, or a related field, with strong skills in molecular simulations. Experience with spectroscopic techniques and interest in AI/machine learning are advantageous. Candidates must be willing to conduct hands-on experimental research and comply with Marie Skłodowska-Curie mobility rules. Excellent English communication skills are required. The position is open to candidates from diverse backgrounds, and the consortium is committed to equal opportunities and an inclusive environment. Funding is provided through the EU Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network, covering stipend, tuition, and support for secondments and training. The application deadline is 7 May 2026. Interviews will be held on 12 and 18 May 2026. For further details, visit the LipAgg project website or contact Prof. Birgit Strodel or Prof. Rita Guzzi.

This PhD position at Forschungszentrum Jülich (Institute of Biological Information Processing, IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry) offers an outstanding opportunity to join the EU-funded HORIZON-MSCA-DN-2024-01 project LipAgg. The LipAgg network unites 11 academic/research institutions and 12 industrial partners across 6 European countries, providing a unique, interdisciplinary training environment for 15 Doctoral Candidates. The project aims to elucidate the role of lipids in the toxicity and propagation of protein aggregation, with a focus on amyloid proteins IAPP and α-Synuclein (αS). Under the primary supervision of Prof. Birgit Strodel at Forschungszentrum Jülich, the successful candidate will use high-performance molecular simulations and advanced computer-aided drug design (CADD) tools to characterize protein-lipid interactions and design peptidomimetic inhibitors. The project includes a nine-month experimental secondment at the University of Paris-Saclay (France) under Prof. Sandrine Ongeri, where the candidate will synthesize and test the most promising inhibitors, gaining dual expertise in computational and synthetic medicinal chemistry. A further three-month secondment at BioSolveIT (Germany) will provide training in state-of-the-art in silico drug design approaches. The Doctoral Candidate will be enrolled at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, which will confer the PhD degree. The position is fully funded through the EU Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network, covering salary, mobility allowance, and participation in training activities, secondments, and international congresses. The candidate will also engage in advanced PhD coursework, publish scientific papers, and contribute to outreach and communication within the LipAgg network. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, or Chemoinformatics, with strong skills in molecular simulations and organic chemistry. Commitment to the experimental phase in France is essential. Excellent English communication skills are required. Candidates must comply with MSCA mobility rules and be in the first five years of their research career without a doctoral degree. The application should include a CV, motivation letter, proof of Master’s degree, Master thesis (if available), academic transcripts, and contact information for two references. Applications should be sent by email to Prof. Birgit Strodel ([email protected]) with the subject 'LipAgg: Application for DC4 position'. The application deadline is 7 May 2026. Interviews will be held on 11 and 18 May 2026. For further information, visit the LipAgg project website or contact the supervisors directly.