Rebekka Schneider-Kramann

RWTH Aachen University is advertising PhD positions in the DFG-funded graduate school EMERGE (Adaptive Soft Matter Through Programming Colloidal Gels with Biological Building Blocks). The advertised project sits at the interface of soft matter science , supramolecular chemistry , polymer chemistry , materials science , and stem cell biology , with a strong translational focus on nanogels for stem cell activation and bone marrow organoid applications. The post describes two doctoral topics under Project A1. One topic focuses on synthesizing polysaccharide-based nanogels and studying how nano-ions affect swelling, uptake, and release of solutes using light, X-ray, and neutron scattering. The other topic focuses on intracellular delivery of osteogenic transcription factors such as RUNX2 into mesenchymal stromal cells and iPSC-derived stromal progenitors, followed by validation in 2D and 3D stem-cell systems and humanized bone marrow organoids. Applicants should have a strong Master’s background in chemistry, materials science, biotechnology, biology, bioengineering, or a related field. Depending on the topic, experience with polymer synthesis, scattering methods, supramolecular chemistry, cell culture, molecular biology, iPSC culture, organoids, microscopy, or flow-based systems is advantageous. The successful candidate must be accepted as a Dr. rer. nat. candidate at RWTH Aachen University and should be fluent in written and spoken English. The positions are embedded in a highly collaborative interdisciplinary environment involving chemistry, physics, and biology. Funding is through EMERGE and the positions are paid at TV-L 13 (67% or 65%, depending on the topic) for 4 years . Interested candidates should open the detailed project link, choose the correct topic, and contact the relevant project leader when applying. The post asks applicants to clearly state which topic they are applying for.