Christian Griesinger

Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences is recruiting 2 PhD students for the European LipAgg MSCA Doctoral Network in the field of analysis of amyloid protein-lipid aggregates . The positions are based in the Department of NMR-based Structural Biology and focus on how amyloid protein-lipid complexes contribute to pathological aggregation, cellular toxicity, and intercellular spread. Possible projects include structural characterisation of α-synuclein-lipid complexes and NMR structure of AP-L complex of hIAPP and its effect on fibrils and membranes . The structure-determination aspects are supervised by Christian Griesinger at the MPI-NAT. The post is aimed at candidates with a Master’s degree (MSc or equivalent) in chemistry, physics, biochemistry, or biophysics , and a solid background or strong interest in NMR-based structure elucidation and preparation of biologically relevant samples. Applicants should be ready for interdisciplinary training, hands-on work with state-of-the-art methods, collaboration with academic and industry partners, and a research stay at an external laboratory. Funding: PhD funding is provided for 36 months . Application materials: CV including methodological skills, motivation letter, copy of Master’s degree or proof of expected completion, master thesis if available, all academic transcripts, and contact information for at least two references. Deadline: apply until 17 May 2026 . More information is available on the institute jobs page, and applications are sent to the project-specific email address for the chosen project.

The Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Department of NMR-based Structural Biology, invites applications for a PhD position focused on the structural characterisation of α-Synuclein-lipid complexes. This project is part of the EU-funded HORIZON-MSCA-DN-2024-01 LipAgg network, which unites academic and industrial partners across five European countries to advance understanding of lipid roles in protein aggregation toxicity and propagation. The successful candidate will establish protocols to generate α-Synuclein-lipid complexes from recombinant α-Synuclein and near physiological vesicle preparations. Stability will be assessed using FIDA/Prometheus, and structural analysis will be performed at near atomic resolution using solid state NMR. The research will also involve photo-bleaching techniques to determine stoichiometry and molecular dynamics, as well as studying the influence of aggregation modulators on complex structure. Preparation of physiologically relevant particles will use cellular starting material. The PhD student will be enrolled at the University of Göttingen in the Gauss program and will work primarily at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Christian Griesinger (structure determination, 29 months). The project includes a 6-month secondment at the University of Copenhagen (supervised by Prof. Dr. Céline Galvagnion-Büll) to optimize preparation of α-Synuclein-lipid complexes, and a 1-month secondment at Bruker (Ettlingen, Germany) to learn about the latest NMR developments. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in chemistry, physics, biochemistry, or biophysics, with a strong background or interest in NMR-based structure elucidation and preparation of biologically relevant samples. Candidates should be highly motivated, persistent, and results-oriented, able to work independently and collaboratively. Excellent English communication skills and strong organizational abilities are required. Eligibility rules of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions apply: candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Germany for more than twelve months in the three years prior to recruitment, and must be in the first five years of their research career without a doctoral degree. Funding is provided for 36 months, with a gross salary of 4,768.12€ per month plus a 660€ family allowance if eligible, in accordance with MSCA regulations. The salary includes a living allowance, mobility allowance, and family allowance. The LipAgg network offers outstanding training, research stays, and opportunities to participate in international congresses and scientific meetings. To apply, submit your application as a single PDF file by email to [email protected] by 17 May 2026. Required documents include CV (with methodological skills), motivation letter, copy of Master’s degree (or proof of expected completion), Master thesis (if available), all academic transcripts, and contact information for at least two references. For further information, contact Prof. Dr. Christian Griesinger ([email protected]) or Prof. Dr. Céline Galvagnion-Büll ([email protected]). The Max Planck Institute is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities, welcoming applications from all backgrounds and aiming to increase the number of employees with disabilities.

The Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, in collaboration with the University of Göttingen and the University of Bordeaux, invites applications for a PhD position focused on the NMR structure of AP-L complex of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) and its effect on fibrils and membranes. This project is part of the EU-funded HORIZON-MSCA-DN-2024-01 LipAgg Doctoral Network, which aims to unravel the structural complexities of amyloid protein-lipid aggregates and their role in pathological aggregation, cellular toxicity, and intercellular spread. The LipAgg consortium includes partners from six European countries, offering a unique interdisciplinary training environment for 15 Doctoral Candidates. The research will focus on key human amyloid proteins—amylin (IAPP), amyloid beta (Aβ), and α-synuclein (αS)—linked to type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson’s disease. The project builds on recent discoveries highlighting the critical role of free lipids in membrane damage through the formation of stable lipid-amyloidogenic protein complexes, supporting the lipid-chaperone hypothesis. The selected PhD candidate will prepare IAPP-lipid complexes and characterize them by NMR spectroscopy, aiming for near atomic resolution structure determination. Structural characterization of IAPP fibrils grown in the presence of AP-L will be performed using cryo-EM. The candidate will study fibril formation kinetics, membrane incorporation of AP-L, and investigate membrane damages or perturbations associated with IAPP-lipid complex binding using fluorescence leaking assays and 2H and 31P-NMR. The position includes a 28-month research period at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Christian Griesinger, followed by a 7-month secondment at the University of Bordeaux for functional investigations regarding membrane integrity under Prof. Dr. Lucie Khemtemourian, and a 1-month secondment at Bruker in Ettlingen, Germany, to learn about the latest developments in NMR technology. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in chemistry, physics, biochemistry, or biophysics, with a solid background or keen interest in structure elucidation by NMR and preparation of biologically relevant samples. Strong motivation, persistence, and a results-oriented mindset are essential, as well as the ability to work independently and collaboratively. Excellent English communication skills and strong organisational abilities are required. Candidates must comply with the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions mobility and eligibility rules, including not having resided or carried out their main activity in Germany for more than twelve months in the three years prior to recruitment, and being in the first five years of their research career without a doctoral degree. The position is fully funded for 36 months, with a gross salary of 4,768.12€ per month plus a 660€ family allowance if eligible, in accordance with MSCA regulations. The salary includes a living allowance, mobility allowance, and family allowance. The expected start date is 1 September 2026. To apply, submit your application as a single PDF file by email to [email protected] before 17 May 2026. Required documents include CV, motivation letter, copy of Master’s degree (or proof of expected completion), Master thesis (if available), all academic transcripts, and contact information for at least two references. For further information, contact Prof. Dr. Christian Griesinger ([email protected]) or Prof. Dr. Lucie Khemtemourian ([email protected]). The Max Planck Institute is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities, welcoming applications from all backgrounds and aiming to increase the number of employees with disabilities.