Publisher
source

Peter Pohl

4 days ago

PhD Position in Single-Molecule Biophysics of Membrane Protein Translocation Johannes Kepler University in Austria

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Molecular Biology

Funding

Full funding available

Deadline

Sep 30, 2026

Country flag

Country

Austria

University

Johannes Kepler University

Social connections

How do I apply for this?

Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.

More information can be found here

Official Email

contact@example.com

Keywords

Molecular Biology
Biomedical Engineering
Biophysics
Biology
Microscopy
Electrophysiology
Membrane Biology
Quantitative Analysis
Membrane Protein
Physics

Suggested positions

About this position

A PhD position is available at the Institute of Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria, in the group of Prof. Peter Pohl and under the supervision of the project’s Principal Investigator, Dr. Denis Knyazev. The project addresses a major open question in membrane biology: how the proton-motive force contributes to protein translocation across biological membranes via the Sec translocon.

The successful candidate will work on a highly interdisciplinary project combining single-molecule fluorescence microscopy and single-channel electrophysiology in a correlative experimental platform. The work will use purified membrane proteins reconstituted into artificial lipid membranes to investigate conformational dynamics of the translocon while simultaneously tracking transport activity. This offers the opportunity to develop and apply advanced methods at the interface of molecular biology, membrane biophysics, fluorescence microscopy, and electrophysiology.

The project is based in an international and collaborative research environment at Johannes Kepler University Linz, with access to advanced instrumentation and close links to collaborating research groups, including the University of Bristol. The research is aimed at both fundamental biological discovery and the development of new techniques for studying membrane proteins at the single-molecule level.

Eligibility highlights include a Master’s degree, or near completion of one, in biophysics, physics, molecular biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, pharmacy, or a related field. The team particularly values strong motivation for experimental science, analytical thinking, curiosity, the ability to learn new techniques quickly, and good communication skills in English. Experience with membrane/protein biophysics, fluorescence microscopy, single-molecule spectroscopy, protein purification, membrane protein reconstitution, electrophysiology, microfluidics, or scientific programming is an advantage.

Funding is provided through a joint programme of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and the Czech Science Foundation (GA CR). The position is full-time and starts on 1 October 2026. The application deadline is 30 September 2026, and applications are evaluated on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is found.

Funding details

Full funding including tuition fees and living expenses is available for this position. The scholarship covers all educational costs and provides a monthly stipend.

How to apply

Please submit your application including a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, and contact information for two references. Applications should be sent via the online portal before the deadline.

Ask ApplyKite AI

Start chatting
Can you summarize this position?
What qualifications are required for this position?
How should I prepare my application?

Professors