Offer 7 of 156

Technische Universität Dresden

Faculty of Biology, Chair of Zoology and Animal Physiology

TUD Dresden University of Technology, as a University of Excellence, is one of the leading and most dynamic research institutions in the country. For TUD diversity is an essential feature and a quality criterion of an excellent university. Accordingly, we welcome all applicants who would like to commit themselves, their achievements and productivity to the success of the whole institution.

Research Associate / PhD Student (m/f/x)

At the Faculty of Biology the Chair of Zoology and Animal Physiology (Prof. Dr. Schirmeier) offers a position as

Research Associate / PhD Student (m/f/x)
(subject to personal qualification employees are remunerated according to salary group E 13 TV-L)

starting at the earliest possible date. The position is limited to 3 years and comprises 65% of the full-time weekly hours. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz - WissZeitVG). The position offers the chance to obtain further academic qualification (usually PhD).
The Schirmeier lab is a small multicultural research group with PhD students and postdocs of different nationalities. Thus, the group’s communication is in English. We aim to analyze the metabolic homeostasis of the central nervous system. Using Drosophila, we study how flexible neural metabolism is and how it adapts to suboptimal conditions, such as malnutrition. Adaptations to nutrient uptake and transport, changes in glia-neuron metabolic interactions, and the underlying regulatory mechanisms are studied. A greater understanding of the metabolic plasticity of the nervous system will lay the basis for better understanding for e. g. neurodegenerative diseases.

Tasks

In this DFG-funded project, led by Dr. Ioannis Nellas, the successful candidate will investigate the metabolic connection between neural stem cells and their glial niche. Genetically encoded, fluorescent metabolite sensors will be used to study the underlying metabolite dynamics. The work will also incorporate various molecular biology techniques, as well as modern genetic engineering methods and microscopy.

Requirements

  • a very good MSc or equivalent degree in Biology, Biochemistry/Biophysics is required for employment
  • experience in cell or molecular biology, ideally with knowledge of Drosophila genetics and live imaging
  • the applicant should be able to relocate for 6 months to our collaborator in Chile, where they will develop and optimize novel metabolite sensors

How to apply

TUD strives to employ more women in academia and research. We therefore expressly encourage women to apply. The University is a certified family-friendly university. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities. If multiple candidates prove to be equally qualified, those with disabilities or with equivalent status pursuant to the German Social Code IX (SGB IX) will receive priority for employment.
Please submit your detailed application with the usual documents (motivation letter - 1 page, curriculum vitae - 2 pages and grade transcripts); and additional letters of recommendation from two referees by October 31, 2025 (stamped arrival date of the university central mail service or the time stamp on the email server of TUD applies), preferably via the TUD SecureMail Portal https://securemail.tu-dresden.de by sending it as a single pdf file to ioannis.nellas@tu-dresden.de or to: TU Dresden, Chair of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Dr. Ioannis Nellas, Helmholtzstr. 10, 01069 Dresden, Germany. Application documents exceeding the 1- (motivation letter) or 2-page format (CV) will not be taken into account. Please submit copies only, as your application will not be returned to you. Expenses incurred in attending interviews cannot be reimbursed.
Reference to data protection: Your data protection rights, the purpose for which your data will be processed, as well as further information about data protection is available to you on the website: https://tu-dresden.de/karriere/datenschutzhinweis.

Facts

Published 19.08.2025
Number of employees 8000
Category PhD student, Research assistant
Location Germany, Saxony, Dresden
Area of responsibility Natural sciences, Biology, Research
Start date (earliest) Earliest possible
Duration limited to 3 years
Full/Part-time 65% of the full-time weekly hours
Remuneration subject to personal qualification employees are remunerated according to salary group E 13 TV-L
Working language and expected level
  • English (Fluent in speech and writing)
Homepage http://www.tu-dresden.de/
Career website https://tu-dresden.de/mn/biologie/tierphysiologie?set_lan...

Requirements

Qualification a very good MSc or equivalent degree
Field of study Natural sciences and mathematics, Biochemistry, Biology

Apply

Application deadline 31.10.2025
Application documents
motivation letter - 1 page, curriculum vitae - 2 pages and grade transcripts); and additional letters of recommendation from two referees
By post

Technische Universität Dresden
Chair of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Dr. Ioannis Nellas, Helmholtzstr. 10, 01069 Dresden, Germany