Postdoctoral Researcher Position

Core responsibilities:

• Development of hydrogel-based organobots embedded with magnetic particles, enabling remote-controlled actuation and integrated sensing while preserving biological function
• Assessment of biocompatibility and control over organoid self-organization to ensure functional integration
• Design and evaluation of magnetic actuation strategies enabling controlled deformation, coordination, and interaction of organobots with external systems
• Help establish a new lab by shaping its research focus, designing lab space, selecting equipment, and contributing to organizational structure and culture

This research opens new avenues for dynamic drug testing, disease modeling, and controllable therapeutic implants by transforming biological organoids into active, programmable units that can perform tasks and interact with external systems.

Required qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, bioengineering, electrical engineering, materials science, robotics, or a related field
• Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken)
• Experience in preparing manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings
• Experience with building custom mechatronic experimental setups and/or one or more forms of prototyping (e.g. mold-making and casting, microfabrication, wet lab experience, hydrogel synthesis)

Benefits include:

• Competitive salaries and fully funded positions
• An international, multidisciplinary, and highly motivating working environment
• Extensive mentoring, supervision, and career-planning support from two PIs
• Access to state-of-the-art lab facilities, including advanced fabrication and testing equipment
• Collaborations with world-leading research groups at MPI-IS and beyond
• Networking opportunities through conferences, seminars, and research visits
• Financial contribution to the job ticket (ÖPNV)

The Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems conducts research in intelligent systems, with research groups including Cyborg Robotics and Intelligent Sensing and Robotic Composites and Compositions focusing on bridging magneto-mechanical material programming and biohybrid sensors and actuators.