DAAD-GSSP scholarships for international PhD students

Protein Engineering: Biosensors and Transport across Membranes
The Stein lab can host research projects in the field of protein engineering and synthetic biology. A particular emphasis is on engineering protein sensors, switches as well as transport processes across cellular and biomimetic membranes while focussing on metabolites, drugs and other biotechnologically relevant small molecules.

Applications for the envisaged protein technologies are diverse. For instance, protein sensors can be used for the real-time analysis of metabolites and drugs in both live cells and complex diagnostic samples. Similarly, protein switches can be applied to control molecular functions with exquisite specificity and temporal resolution. Further, sensors and switches can be used to build sense-and-respond circuits that operate autonomously in live cells and intelligent (bio)materials. Finally, tailor-engineered transport processes across biological and biomimetic membranes can form part of integrated biomolecular sensing and separation technologies.

Molecular engineering endeavours are complemented by the development of dedicated enabling technologies (e.g. combinatorial DNA assembly methods, high-throughput screening systems and robotic automation) that are combined with high-resolution analytical methods (e.g. electrophysiological measurements in lipid bilayers and live cell fluorescence microscopy in microfluidics) to gain fundamental insight how artificially engineered proteins functions and ultimately facilitate the underlying construction process.

• Applicants must not have been resident in Germany for more than the last 15 months prior to the nomination
• The last final exam (Master Degree) should have taken place no longer than six years before the time of nomination
• Application documents comprise a CV, a motivation letter, transcript of records (BSc. & MSc.) and at least 2 contacts for recommendation letters (or recommendation letters if available)
• Applicants must not have completed a PhD previously
• Applicants should refer to their preferred research group offering a PhD position

More information on the application requirements and process here .

📌 Applicants who receive their master's degree after the application deadline may also apply for the program.

👉 Please submit your application via the online application form when the call for application is open. Applications sent via mail are not accepted!