Research Associate

TUD Dresden University of Technology, as a University of Excellence, is one of the leading and most
dynamic research institutions in the country. Founded in 1828, today it is a globally oriented,
regionally anchored top university as it focuses on the grand challenges of the 21st century. It
develops innovative solutions for the world's most pressing issues. In research and academic
programs, the university unites the natural and engineering sciences with the humanities, social
sciences and medicine. This wide range of disciplines is a special feature, facilitating interdisciplinarity
and transfer of science to society. As a modern employer, it offers attractive working conditions to all
employees in teaching, research, technology and administration. The goal is to promote and develop
their individual abilities while empowering everyone to reach their full potential. TUD embodies a
university culture that is characterized by cosmopolitanism, mutual appreciation, thriving innovation
and active participation. 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.

At the **Cluster of Excellence „Physics of Life” (PoL),** the **Heisenberg Chair of Biological Algorithms**
(Prof. Benjamin Friedrich) offers a position as

**Research Associate / PhD student** (M/F/x)
**in Theoretical Biological Physics**
- starting **as soon as possible.** The position entails 65% of the fulltime weekly hours and is limited to- employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz- WissZeitVG). The position offers the chance to obtain further academic qualification (usually PhD).

**Tasks**: How do physical mechanisms shape biological patterns? How can the same mechanisms
generate diverse morphologies? We theoretically address these fundamental questions using the
intricate silica patterns of the diatom cell wall as model system. The physical and chemical principles
that guide the self-organization of biosilica patterns with regularly spaced ribs and nano-pores are
not understood, nor are structures of similar complexity accessible through material synthesis today.
To identify general principles of biosilica pattern formation, we develop mathematical models that
quantitatively account the time-course of developing patterns, in a tight theory-experiment
encouraged to consult our first study on this topic, Iaroslav Babenko et al. PNAS, _in press_; preprint:
Your task will be to enlarge this model to describe the intricate interplay of multiple pattern features
(ribs, pores, transverse connections) in a comparative approach across centric diatom species, with
the aim to identify conserved physical mechanisms. You will be the main driver of the theory part of
this project, working in a close tandem with an experimental PhD student in the Kröger laboratory,

who will, e.g., provide TEM image data on the time-course of silica valve morphogenesis for different
species and different perturbation conditions.

Your tasks include mathematical modeling (e.g., using reaction-diffusion type models in 2D and 3D,
liquid-liquid phase separation models), numerical simulations, e.g., of PDEs, custom-made data and
image analysis of valve patterns to quantify pattern features, drafting scientific publications for high
- profile, peer-reviewd journals. You will be conducting detailed literature searches, writing regular
interim reports, participation in professional conferences to present your research; support of the

**Requirements**:

- outstanding university degree in physics, applied mathematics or related fields,
- experience and competence in mathematical modeling
- programming skills and experience in data and image analysis
- ideally, first exposure to biological physics and willingness to learn biology _en route _
- excellent communication and presentation skills in English,- high self-motivation and independent, target
- and solution-driven work attitude.

**What we offer**: We offer the opportunity to shape an exciting research project in Theoretical
Biological Physics, while developing your academic or professional career. You will be imbedded
within the highly interactive and interdisciplinary research environment of PoL and the wider Dresden
Campus, which includes other high-quality scientific institutions. You will be exposed to world-class
research on diverse topics through regular scientific seminars and occasional retreats. Employment
conditions include a comprehensive package with full social benefits. Dresden offers a high-quality of
life with a relatively low cost-of-living.

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 and offers a Dual Career
equally qualified, those with dis