Academic staff (f/m/d) for the "Biopolymer Materials" group

07.09.2026, Academic staff

The lab for biopolymer materials (Prof. Dr. Lieleg) at the Technical University of Munich is looking for academic staff (f/m/d) to investigate the "barrier properties of mucus and mucus model systems"

Your responsibilities:

The Lieleg lab investigates – among other things – the physico-chemical principles governing the barrier properties of mucus and mucus model systems. In this context, we try to understand how the permeability of mucus-gels towards molecules is altered when the mucus is contaminated with environmental particles such as particulate matter or microplastic (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.151566 ), or when the molecular compositon of mucus is changed in the context of pathological conditions (https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.4c01629 ). Moreover, we develop methods to improve the permeability of mucus, e.g., for the transport of drug  carriers. This research is embedded into the CRC1449 and the Cluster of Excellence „BioSysteM“.

You will employ different microscopy-based techniques (single-particle tracking, microfluidics) to characterize the permeability of different mucus (model) systems towards molecules and identify the molecular principles governing the selective barrier properties of those hydrogels. A main goal will be to correlate pathophysiologically relevant alterations in the composition of mucus with differences in its permeability and to find methods to rationally modulate those barrier properties.

In addition to those research tasks, you will also contribute to the teaching duties of the Lieleg lab.

Your qualifications:

You hold a very good Master’s degreee in a field related to the mentioned research area (e.g., biophysics, biochemistry, bioengineering, chemical engineering), and you can work well in an interdisciplinary team. Very good English skills and experience with lab work as well as with light microscopy are required for this project. Moreover, you have experience with the chemical conjugation of biomolecules and data analysis programs such as MatLab. German skills are helpful.

Our offer:

We offer a 75% position as academic staff with the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree. The position will be limited to four years. Payment will be based on the Collective Agreement for the Civil Service of the Länder (TV-L ). TUM strives to raise the proportion of women in its workforce and explicitly encourages applications from qualified women. Applications from disabled persons with essentially the same qualifications will be given preference.

Your application:

If you are interested in working in our team, please send your application together with a strong CV and supporting documentation (e.g., transcripts of records) to:

                                                               [email protected]

The position is suitable for disabled persons. Disabled applicants will be given preference in case of generally equivalent suitability, aptitude and professional performance.

Data Protection Information:
When you apply for a position with the Technical University of Munich (TUM), you are submitting personal information. With regard to personal information, please take note of the Datenschutzhinweise gemäß Art. 13 Datenschutz-Grundverordnung (DSGVO) zur Erhebung und Verarbeitung von personenbezogenen Daten im Rahmen Ihrer Bewerbung. (data protection information on collecting and processing personal data contained in your application in accordance with Art. 13 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)). By submitting your application, you confirm that you have acknowledged the above data protection information of TUM.

Kontakt: [email protected]