Research Associate (Doctoral Candidate)

About the Role

Marburg University is offering a fixed-term, third-party funded position in the Department of Pharmacy within Dr. Schihada’s research group, starting on 01.09.2026. The role is planned for 3 years, subject to any qualifying prior periods that must be credited. The position covers 65% of regular working hours and is classified under pay grade E 13 of the Hessian public sector collective agreement.

The University of Marburg, founded in 1527, is known for award-winning teaching for around 22,000 students and for strong research across a wide range of disciplines addressing major contemporary challenges.

Responsibilities

• Carry out research-related scientific duties within the project.
• Design, clone, and validate optical G-protein biosensors for use in living cells.
• Plan, perform, analyse, and interpret pharmacological assays in living cells using microtiter plate formats and newly developed optical biosensors.
• Investigate GPCR-driven conformational changes in heterotrimeric G-proteins.
• Study interaction patterns of dissociated G-protein subunits following GPCR activation.
• Examine GPCR-specific signalling pathways mediated by G-proteins.

Research and Qualification Context

The position is intended to support independent academic work as part of the candidate’s own scientific qualification. The fixed-term arrangement follows Section 2 (1) of the German Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (WissZeitVG).

Requirements

• Completed university degree at the scientific level (Diplom, Master’s degree, or equivalent) in biology, biochemistry, life sciences, pharmacy, or a related field.
• Practical experience culturing adherent mammalian cells, such as HEK-293.
• Hands-on experience with molecular biology methods for plasmid DNA cloning, including PCR, Gibson Assembly, and restriction-ligation.
• Practical background in biochemical and/or cell biology techniques used to study GPCRs and/or G-proteins in microtiter plate formats (96- or 384-well plates).
• Experience with fluorescence- and/or bioluminescence-based methods, including FRET and BRET, in living mammalian cells.
• Strong written and spoken English skills.
• Willingness to pursue further academic qualification, for example a doctoral project in pharmacology.

Benefits

• Competitive remuneration in line with the Hessian public sector collective agreement.
• Free use of public transport throughout Hesse via the Landesticket.
• Career development training for early-career researchers.
• Opportunity for partial mobile working.
• Support for professional development through Marburg Research Academy (MARA), the International Office, and the university’s higher education didactics unit.

Additional Information

Vacancy ID: fb16-0007-wmz-2026.

Start date: 01.09.2026.

Application deadline: 12.07.2026.

Pay scale: E 13 TV-H.

Contract length: 3 years.

Workload: part-time at 65% of regular working hours.

The University of Marburg actively encourages applications from women. Where women are underrepresented, candidates with equal qualifications will be given preference. The university is family-friendly and supports work-life balance. A reduction of working hours is generally possible.

Applicants with disabilities as defined under Sections 2 (2) and (3) of the German Social Code IX (SGB IX) will be given preference in cases of equal suitability. Application and interview expenses will not be reimbursed.

For further information, please contact Dr. Hannes Schihada at +49 6421-28 26767 or Hannes.schihada@uni-marburg.de.