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PhD on Learning Soft Matter
14.12.2025, Wissenschaftliches Personal
Prof. Karen Alim’s group on Biological Physics at the TUM Campus Garching is looking for an experimental PhD student (m/f/d) to join our team at the TUM on the ERC project Learning Matters!.
Task
You will implement learning mechanics in soft matter, specifically in biocompatible hydrogels. Your hydrogels will form the walls of a synthetic vein network that can be trained for transport, thus paving the way for robust vein networks in synthetic organs. To learn, your hydrogel will exhibit two mechanical properties: First, flow shear adaptation, where the hydrogel channels dilate and shrink in response to flow shear – just like real veins. Second, training with chemicals: When a chemical flows through the hydrogel channel, it permanently softens the material, imprinting wider channels, thus training specific flow patterns into your vein network. You will embed learning in the mechanical behaviour of matter.
Requirements
As a suitable candidate, you have an outstanding Master's degree or comparable degree in physics, bioengineering or related disciplines. You have knowledge in soft matter or biological physics. You enjoy working in interdisciplinary and international teams and have programming skills. In addition, you are able to express yourself confidently both orally and in writing in English.
What we offer
We offer a three-plus-one-year contract (TV-L E13 75%) with a flexible start date as early as April 2026 in a highly motivated team combining experimental and theoretical research on equal footing. As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, TUM explicitly encourages applications from women as well as from all others who would bring additional diversity dimensions to the university’s research and teaching strategies.
Application
We are looking forward to receiving your application documents, which include your CV, your list of publications, transcript of record, a motivation of your research interests (max. 1 page) and the contact details for two letters of recommendation in one PDF document. Please send these under the subject “PhD Learning Soft Matter” by e-mail to Prof. Dr. Karen Alim (k.alim@tum.de) by 15.02.2026. She will also be happy to provide you with further information in advance.
Prof. Dr. Karen Alim Technische Universität München Ernst-Otto-Fischer-Str. 8 85748 Garching b. München k.alim@tum.de www.bpm.ph.tum.de
The position is suitable for disabled persons. Disabled applicants will be given preference in case of generally equivalent suitability, aptitude and professional performance.
Data Protection Information:
When you apply for a position with the Technical University of Munich (TUM), you are submitting personal information. With regard to personal information, please take note of the Datenschutzhinweise gemäß Art. 13 Datenschutz-Grundverordnung (DSGVO) zur Erhebung und Verarbeitung von personenbezogenen Daten im Rahmen Ihrer Bewerbung. (data protection information on collecting and processing personal data contained in your application in accordance with Art. 13 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)). By submitting your application, you confirm that you have acknowledged the above data protection information of TUM.
Kontakt: k.alim@tum.de
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