Job Description

We are seeking to appoint, as as soon as possible,

at the Institute for Integrated Natural Sciences, Department of


Physics, Materials Physics Research Group,

a research associate (m/f/d)

The University of Koblenz is the youngest university in Germany – while also preserving a long-standing academic tradition. A multi-



tude of transdisciplinary research projects spanning several institutions concentrated on a com-pact campus favourably affects our


university routine. As the interdisciplinary university in the north of Rhineland-Palatinate with more than 9,400 students, we live the


knowledge – transformation – innovation triad in our four profile areas “Education”, “Computer Science”, “Culture and its Mediation”


as well as “Material and Environment”. We provide and conduct state-of-the-art teacher-training studies for all school types and


maintain the transfer of our research results to civic society and regional businesses in a resilient and sustainable way. Join an aspir-



ing university community and aid in advancing our further growth!





The full-time position (currently 39 hours/week) is initially


limited to three years. It is based in the Material Physics re-



search group within Faculty 3 – Mathematics/Natural Sciences.


Employment is subject to the provisions of the German Aca-



demic Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG). Scientific further


qualification is strongly supported.

Your Responsibilities:

?

Participation in research projects of the Material Physics


group, with a focus on experimental polymer physics at


the interface between biology and medicine.
?

In particular, the use of fluorescence correlation spectros-



copy (FCS):


to investigate the release kinetics of nanoparticulate
drug carriers, focusing on natural substances for can-



cer therapy and their transport and release in the di-



gestive tract and bloodstream.


- to study the formation of biofilms on polymer surfac-



es, with emphasis on medical and biotechnological


applications (e.g. implants, bioreactors), the degrada-



tion of biopolymers, and interactions between bio-



films and nanoplastics.
?

Conducting dynamic measurements using light scattering,


as well as structural and spectroscopic analyses using


atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron micros-



copy (SEM), UV-VIS spectroscopy, and high-performance


liquid chromatography (HPLC), as well as the application


of dynamic mechanical methods (e.g. to assess biofilm


stability).
?

Laboratory responsibility, including maintenance of the


experimental equipment in the Material Physics group; in


particular, maintenance and further development of an in-



house built fluorescence correlation spectrometer.
?

Participation in securing third-party funding.
?

Regular compilation and presentation of research results


in reports and project meetings.
?

Active participation in scientific exchange with colleagues


and at conferences.
?

Contribution to teaching (experimental physics) in various


physics degree programmes, with a teaching load of 8


contact hours per week.
?

Participation in examinations and supervision of theses.


Your Qualifications:
?

A successfully completed university degree (excluding


Bachelor’s degree) in Physics or a related field from a uni-



versity or equivalent institution.
?

A completed PhD (Doctorate) in Physics or a related disci-



pline.
?

Very good theoretical and preferably practical knowledge


in the field of optics and/or spectroscopy (preferably fluo-



rescence spectroscopy, confocal microscopy, dynamic


light scattering).
?

Knowledge in at least one of the following areas: polymer


science, biophysics, medical physics, or chemistry.
?

Ability to work independently, strong communication and


collaboration skills, teamwork abilities, and willingness to


engage with new research topics.
?

Technical aptitude and enthusiasm for experimental work.
?

Good command of English (spoken and written) and


strong organisational skills.
?

Knowledge of LabVIEW, MATLAB, and/or Python is an ad-



vantage.
?

Knowledge of the German language is an advantage.


What we offer:
?

Integration into a research-active, well-networked envi-



ronment with good research infrastructure.
?

A stimulating and varied range of responsibilities within


a collegial team that values open communication
?

Remuneration according to pay group 13 TV-L.
?

Usual social benefits in the general public sector accord-



ing to TV-L (annual special payment, pension scheme


(VBL)).
?

Compatibility of family and work, flexible working hours
?

Varied sports program with health-promoting offers.
?

Extensive opportunities for further education and train-



ing.


The University of Koblenz welcomes applications from all


age groups, regardless of gender identity, disability, ethnic


or cultural background, religion, ideology or sexual orienta-



tion. We aim to increase the proportion of women and are


therefore particularly interested in applications from wom-



en. In the event of under-representation, women with


equivalent aptitude and qualifications will be given preferen-



tial consideration. Severely handicapped persons will be giv-



en preferential consideration if their professional and per-



sonal qualifications are otherwise equal.


For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Silke


Rathgeber (e-mail: rathgeber@uni-koblenz.de, phone: 0261


287 2345).


Please, send your informative documents

by 04.01.2026,

quoting the

reference number 134/2025

,

exclusively by e-

mail in one PDF file

to:

bewerbung@uni-koblenz.de.

Please, refrain from sending in application photos. We do


not send confirmations of receipt. At the end of the proce-



dure, the application documents will be destroyed in com-



pliance with data protection regulations.

www.uni-koblenz.de/karriere