Postdoctoral Researcher / Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin / Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter (d/w/m) i

Postdoc (f/d/m) structural biology and cryo-electron tomography Specialty 
Biochemistry, Molecular biology 

Work time 

full-time

Start date 

01.10.2026 

Employment period 

limited 

Application deadline 

13.09.2026

Deployment location Charité 

Campus Charité Mitte

Jobcode 

7825

Salary group 

E13

Working at Charité 

The Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin is seeking a highly motivated scientist for innovative research projects in the field of in situ structural biology and cryo-electron tomography. Prof. Christian Spahn’s research group investigates the structure, function and regulation of macromolecular machines and complexes at the molecular level. Three-dimensional cryo-electron microscopy has long been the central methodological basis of our research. A particular focus is on protein biosynthesis, translational control, and ribosome biogenesis and assembly.

Overview of the position 

• Design and implementation of research projects in the field of in situ structural biology and molecular cell biology
• Further development, optimization and application of methods in cryo-electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography, with a focus on digital image processing
• Participation in national and international collaborative research projects
• Supervision and guidance of staff members as well as scientific support for collaboration partners
• Contribution to the Institute’s teaching duties in German (model curriculum in human medicine and dentistry)
• You will be employed as a postdoctoral researcher: In accordance with Section 110 (4), Sentence 3 of the Berlin Higher Education Act (BerlHG), academic staff are allocated an appropriate amount of working hours for their own further academic qualification
• You are required to teach in your field of work in accordance with the Teaching Obligations Ordinance (LVVO) pursuant to the Berlin Higher Education Act.

What we are looking for 

• Completed PhD in a relevant discipline (life sciences, biochemistry, biophysics, biology, chemistry or physics)
• Publications in leading international peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Experience in cryo-EM and digital image processing, Experience in in situ structural biology and cryo-electron tomography is advantageous but not required
• Experience in experimental laboratory work (molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics or cell biology); Experience in cell culture is advantageous but not required
• Very good command of English and excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to work effectively in a team, strong problem-solving and analytical skills as well as the ability to work creatively and independently

Charité offers you 

• A supportive, dynamic and stimulating academic environment with excellent training opportunities and broad interdisciplinary collaboration
• Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure: Charité’s CFcryoEM provides, among other things, access to a complete cryo-ET workflow with Titan Krios, Aquilos 2 and Leica TCS SP8.
• A new, excellently equipped laboratory in a state-of-the-art research building on a vibrant research campus in central Berlin. The Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), the Department of Life Sciences of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology and the MDC-BIMSB are all located in the immediate vicinity.
• Remuneration in accordance with the collective agreement for the public service of the federal government (TVöD VKA), including a supplementary occupational pension scheme, flexible working hours and the option of mobile working

Information regarding the position 

• Salary group E13 TVöD VKA-K. You can find all information on salary and the applicable collective agreement here
• The position is full-time with 38.5 hours per week and is fixed-term until 30 September 2029 as it is tied to the project duration
• 30 days of paid vacation per year
• The application period ends on: 13th September 2026
• Position ID: 7825

Application

 Everyone is welcome at the Charité, regardless of age, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, ethnic or social background. We are committed to equal opportunities and inclusion. 

 For data protection reasons, we only accept applications via our application portal. The contact details provided below are intended solely for inquiries. 

If you have questions, please contact: 

Prof. Dr. Christian Spahn
cmts@charite.de