PhD student (f/m/d) in the field of “Computational Design and Structural Analysis of Designer-Proteins”
Modern, interconnected, conscious of tradition: Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) is the old-
est and largest university in the State of Saxony-Anhalt with a history dating back more than 500 years. Today
more than 20,000 students are enrolled at MLU.
As part of the JTC project, the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Faculty of Natural Sciences I — Bi-
osciences, Institute of Pharmacy, Processing of Biotechnical Products in the innovation team “Designer pro-
teins as bio-based binders” is seeking to fill the temporary position of a
Scientist (PhD student) (f/m/d)
in the field of “Computational Design and Structural Analysis of Designer-Proteins”
in part time (50%) at the earliest possible date, limited until 31.12.2027.
The salary will be up to Entgeltgruppe 13 TV‑L, if the personal requirements and tasks are fulfilled.
Work assignments:
With the European Center of Just Transition Research and Impact-Driven Transfer (JTC), an interdisciplinary re-
search center is being established at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, which will address questions
about the fair design of techno-socio-economic change processes in transition regions in Central Germany and
link ‘questions of the day after tomorrow’ with current challenges. To this end, 17 so-called innovation teams
have been established at MLU, which are made up of interdisciplinary members from the humanities and social
sciences as well as the natural and material sciences.
The position is a joint project between the Institute of pharmacy at MLU and computational chemistry group at
Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB-Halle, AG Davari).
• Conducting research in the field of computational biochemistry
• Computational part:
o Design of artificial surface-binding proteins using RosettaSurface and deep learning–based
protein sequence design
o Structural ensemble prediction and validation using AlphaFold
o Mechanistic understanding of surface binding by using atomistic and coarse-grained MD sim-
ulations
• The work will be performed in close collaboration with an experimental scientist, who will work on experi-
mental characterization and validation. The candidate will have the opportunity to test their own predic-
tion in the lab.
• Writing scientific reports and publications as part of the research project
The position offers the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree.
Qualifications:
• Completed university degree (Diploma or MSc) in bioinformatics, computational biology or computational
(bio)chemistry, (bio)physics or related fields
Very good practical and theoretical knowledge in the field of structural bioinformatics, molecular and struc-
tural biology; full working proficiency in a in programming language (e.g., Python, C/C++, JAVA), and full
working proficiency in UNIX/Linux
• Very good theoretical and practical knowledge of machine learning and deep learning methods (PyTorch,
TensorFlow, etc.)
• Good theoretical and practical knowledge of molecular simulation techniques (molecular dynamics or
Monte Carlo methods)
• Knowledge in the field of protein design and modern generative models and high-performance computing
systems is an advantage
• Very good written and spoken English language skills
• Structured and reliable way of working, as well as very good team and communication skills
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Application of disabled candidates with equivalent qualification will be given priority. Women are particularly
encouraged to apply. Applicants with a foreign qualification have to show the statement of comparability for
foreign higher educational qualification issued by the Central Office for Foreign Education/Zentralstelle für
ausländisches Bildungswesen (https://www.kmk.org/zab/central-office-for-foreign-education).
For more information, please contact Dr. Constanze Zwies, Tel.: 0345 55–25941,
E‑Mail: constanze.zwies@pharmazie.uni-halle.de
Please send your application quoting the registration number 5–617/25‑D, with the usual documents (letter of
motivation, CV, certificates) with reference to until 14.02.2025 by post to Prof. Dr. Markus Pietzsch, Weinbergweg
22, 06120 Halle (Saale) and the electronical applications have to be sent by e‑mail
constanze.zwies@pharmazie.uni-halle.de.
Only complete application documents are considered.
This announcement is depending on fund availability and any possible budget restriction. Application expenses
cannot be reimbursed by the Martin-Luther-University.
Application costs will not be reimbursed by Martin Luther University. Application documents will only be returned
if a sufficiently stamped envelope is enclosed. https://www.verwaltung.uni-halle.de/dezern3/Ausschr/25_5_617_25_D_engl.pdf