University of Würzburg

Department of Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry (FMZ)

Organisation/Company University of Würzburg Department Department of Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry (FMZ) Research Field Chemistry » Organic chemistry Chemistry » Physical chemistry Chemistry » Applied chemistry Researcher Profile Established Researcher (R3) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 25 Nov 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Berlin) Country Germany Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Feb 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Chair of Functional Materials is part of the Institute for Functional Materials and Biofabrication , which is supported by the Faculties of Chemistry and Pharmacy as well as the Faculty of Medicine. Research activities at the Chair are interdisciplinary and encompass the synthesis and development of new polymers, their characterization, formulation, and processing into materials for biomedical applications—such as scaffolds for cells and active ingredients—as well as 3D printing and bioprinting (biofabrication).

These scientific projects are carried out as part of externally funded research initiatives (EU, ERC, DFG, particularly SFB TRR225) and in collaboration with industry partners. These activities are integrated into the “Center of Polymers for Life” research building, a modern and well-equipped facility located under one roof with the Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry, in close proximity to the natural science faculties on the Hubland campus. The Chairs of Functional Materials and of Macromolecular Chemistry work closely together at the CPL, particularly with regard to local organization, laboratory courses, and lectures, as well as the supervision and use of equipment for the molecular analysis of polymers and the characterization of polymer materials.

Your responsibilities:

• The primary responsibility is to assist with department administration and the implementation of courses and laboratory sessions in chemistry and polymer chemistry, as well as with the management and execution of externally funded projects and IT management.
• Maintaining the infrastructure of the chemistry laboratories and the physicochemical characterization methods.
• Supporting research activities in the field of polymer synthesis and characterization for biomedical applications (this includes hydrophilic polymers and prepolymers, biocompatible cross-linking mechanisms, biodegradable polymers, and biohybrid polymers and polymer materials).
• Opportunity to independently propose, secure, and carry out third-party funded projects (this includes publishing the results in peer-reviewed scientific journals, analyzing and presenting the results, and supervising bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students).

Requirements

Research Field Chemistry » Organic chemistry Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Your Profile:

• Requirements for the position include a completed university degree in chemistry or pharmacy, a qualifying doctoral degree in the field of polymer chemistry or macromolecular chemistry, and fluency in both spoken and written German and English.
• Experience in applying for and managing externally funded projects is also required, as is several years of experience with the synthesis and characterization, formulation, and application of polymers, ideally for biomedical applications.
• Ideally, you have experience in the synthesis of polymers and copolymers—for example, using controlled polymerization techniques (living cationic and anionic polymerization)—as well as their characterization and purification.
• Experience in teaching and advising students (on bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral theses) rounds out your profile.

Specific Requirements

Excellent command of German (written and spoken) is required.

Languages GERMAN Level Excellent

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Additional Information

We offer:

• a diverse and responsible scope of duties.
• The opportunity to secure funding for your own research projects.
• A pleasant work environment.
• Collaboration within a collegial, interdisciplinary leadership team.

Provided the requirements are met, there is the prospect of employment as a civil servant in the position of Academic Advisor with the role of a research associate. Pursuant to Art. 23, para. 1, sentence 1 of the Bavarian Civil Service Act, appointment as a civil servant may only occur until the age of 45. Exceptions are possible in urgent cases.

Eligibility criteria

Your Profile:

• Requirements for the position include a completed university degree in chemistry or pharmacy, a qualifying doctoral degree in the field of polymer chemistry or macromolecular chemistry, and fluency in both spoken and written German and English.
• Experience in applying for and managing externally funded projects is also required, as is several years of experience with the synthesis and characterization, formulation, and application of polymers, ideally for biomedical applications.
• Ideally, you have experience in the synthesis of polymers and copolymers—for example, using controlled polymerization techniques (living cationic and anionic polymerization)—as well as their characterization and purification.
• Experience in teaching and advising students (on bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral theses) rounds out your profile.

Selection process

The University of Würzburg is committed to increasing the proportion of women on its faculty and is therefore expressly interested in applications from suitably qualified women.

Applications from people with disabilities will be given preferential consideration if they have equivalent qualifications, competence, and professional achievements.