PhD Researcher in Plant Molecular Biology

PhD Researcher (m/f/d, E13 TV-L , 65%)

Faculty of Science, Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP)

Bewerbungsfrist: 30.11.2025

The BM² Lab at the Faculty of Science, is in search of a 

PhD Researcher (m/w/d, E13 TV-L, 65%)

for an initial contract duration of 3 years. 

The position will be filled for a fixed term for three years initially. Payment is at 65% of salary scale E13. Starting date could be January 1st, 2026, but is negotiable within reasonable limits.

Research and Task description

The BM² Lab is an interdisciplinary research group at the interface of physics, computer science & biology interested in understanding morphogenesis, bio-mechanics and their interaction in living systems, mainly plants. The BM^2 Lab is mainly computational and uses ad-hoc developed modeling tools such as MorphoMechanX to provide explanatory and predictive scenarios for developmental problems. We are currently focusing on organ bending during ovule growth, chirality establishment in plant tissues, cell wall mechanics and feedback between genetic signaling and mechano-sensing (for more background see Mosca et al. 2024 Curr Biology, Hernandez-Lagana, Mosca et al. 2021 eLife). The candidate is expected to adapt and fine tune pre-existing bio-mechanical model templates to the specific cases studies, testing the results against experimental data and deriving interpretative and predictive scenarios. An active contribution to the software algorithms is also wished.  Teaching duties come with this position in terms of 2h per semester week (2 SWS).

Your profile

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with excellent written and oral English, good communication and teamwork skills, who can work independently and in a goal-oriented manner. The ideal candidate should have an MSc or equivalent in a field connected to computational sciences (i.e. physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, computational biology) and is fascinated by biological processes. Alternatively, a candidate should have a MSc degree in biology, and experience in computational approaches and coding.

Strong mathematical and analytical skills are desirable as well as some programming experience, while initial exposure to Finite Element Methods & object-oriented C++ programming language would be a plus, but is not required. We also welcome applicants with an MSc degree in biology who have experience in computational approaches and coding.

Environment

The BM² lab is part the University of Tübingen. It is located on the science campus, at the Center for Molecular Plant Biology (ZMBP), a world-renown institution for its research on plant science. The campus   fosters connections with the proximal faculties of Physics, Mathematics and the Inter-faculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine.    
Tübingen is an international, dynamic, and lively university town in the Swabian Jura.

Application Process

Interested applicants should submit a single PDF comprising a motivation letter describing their research interests and their experience with computational approaches, an up-to-date CV, and the names and contact information of 2 references to bm2labspam prevention@zmbp.uni-tuebingen.de  by November 30th 2025. For more information, please contact Dr. Gabriella Mosca via email to gabriella.moscaspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de . 

Severely disabled persons will be given preference if equally qualified. The University of Tübingen is committed to equity and diversity and actively promotes equal opportunities.

The university strives to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching and therefore encourages suitably qualified female scientists to apply.

Recruitment is handled by the Central Administration.