Job Information
- Organisation/Company: MyBiotech
- Department: Research and Development
- Research Field: Biological sciences » Nutritional sciences; Chemistry » Applied chemistry; Chemistry » Biochemistry; Chemistry » Inorganic chemistry; Chemistry » Organic chemistry; Chemistry » Other; Engineering » Biomaterial engineering; Engineering » Materials engineering; Technology » Biotechnology; Technology » Chemical technology; Technology » Industrial technology; Technology » Materials technology; Technology; Technology » Pharmaceutical technology; Environmental science » Natural resources management; Pharmacological sciences » Pharmacy
- Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Positions: PhD Positions
- Application Deadline: 9 Dec 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin)
- Country: Germany
- Type of Contract: Temporary
- Job Status: Full-time
- Hours Per Week: 40
- Offer Starting Date: 1 Mar 2027
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Horizon Europe - MSCA
- Reference Number: HORIZON-MSCA-2025-DN-01-01
- Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number: [contact details available in the full listing]
- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No
Offer Description
This position forms part of the FAroGels research program on food-grade, bio-based, and biodegradable aerogels and their application in sustainable food systems. The selected candidate will be employed by MyBiotech GmbH and will be required to enroll as a PhD student Saarland University, in accordance with the relevant admission and enrolment requirements.
The doctoral project will focus on developing hybrid biopolymer aerogels based on food-compatible materials such as chitosan, alginate and xanthan as multifunctional carriers for nutraceuticals. The project will design aerogels with tunable porosity and tailored surface chemistry to improve nutraceutical encapsulation and stability, mask off-flavours and enable controlled release under digestion-relevant conditions. Food-grade purification, processing and bench-scale fabrication workflows will also be optimised to support future industrial translation.
The performance of the developed systems will be evaluated by quantifying encapsulation efficiency, oxidative stability and release kinetics. Promising formulations will subsequently be evaluated in practical formats, including capsules, dry blends and nutraceutical-enriched foods. Within FAroGels, DC6 will provide a validated hybrid aerogel platform for stabilising and delivering selected nutraceuticals, together with quantitative performance datasets, structure–function maps and bench-scale fabrication and evaluation protocols.
The position will involve laboratory-based research, data analysis, scientific communication and close collaboration with other FAroGels Doctoral Candidates, supervisors and partner organizations.
The Doctoral Candidate will be expected to:
- Conduct research on the design, development and characterisation of hybrid biopolymer aerogels for the encapsulation, stabilisation and controlled release of selected nutraceuticals.
- Plan, perform, document and analyse experimental work using relevant laboratory, analytical, processing and/or modelling methods.
- Participate actively in FAroGels network meetings, workshops, training schools, seminars and transferable-skills activities.
- Undertake planned secondments at FAroGels partner organisations, as specified for the DC project.
- Work collaboratively with academic and non-academic partners across the FAroGels network.
- Prepare scientific reports, project deliverables, presentations, publications and, where relevant, other dissemination or exploitation-related outputs.
Requirements
Research Field
All
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
- Educational Background: Master’s degree (or equivalent) in life science (included but not limited to chemistry, pharmacy, biotechnology, etc) or related field.
- Skills: Strong laboratory and analytical skills in biopolymer processing, encapsulation, physicochemical characterisation, spectroscopy, and data analysis.
- Languages: Proficiency in English (written and spoken) is required.
- Strong motivation to pursue doctoral research in an international and interdisciplinary environment.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to collaborative research activities.
- Good organization, communication and problem-solving skills.
- Willingness to travel for planned secondments, network meetings and training activities.
- Basic knowledge of data analysis and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
- German knowledge is a plus.
Languages
ENGLISH
Level: Excellent
Additional Information
Benefits
- A full-time doctoral position funded through the FAroGels MSCA Doctoral Network.
- A fixed-term employment contract for 36 months at MyBiotech GmbH.
- A competitive salary and employment conditions in accordance with the MSCA Doctoral Networks funding provisions, applicable national legislation and the policies of MyB.
- Social-security coverage and other employment-related benefits in accordance with the applicable national and institutional framework.
- A Personal Career Development Plan (PCDP), prepared with the supervisory team and reviewed and updated during the project.
- Access to research facilities, infrastructure, training and support services at the Host Institution and within the FAroGels network.
- Participation in a structured doctoral training programme including scientific and technical training, transferable skills, career development and innovation-oriented activities.
- Planned secondments at FAroGels partner organizations, offering complementary scientific, technical and crosssectoral experience.
- An international research environment and opportunities to build a professional network across academia and nonacademic organizations.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants of any nationality are welcome to apply. At the date of recruitment, applicants must meet the following MSCA Doctoral Network requirements:
- Doctoral candidate status: Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree. Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet been formally awarded the doctoral degree are not eligible.
- Mobility rule: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention or EU temporary protection are not taken into account. Compliance is verified before the start of employment, on the basis of the candidate’s passport and, where necessary, other documents.
- PhD enrolment: Doctoral Candidates must be enrolled in a doctoral programme leading to the award of a doctoral degree in at least one EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. For this position, this is the doctoral programme at Saarland University, applicants must therefore meet its admission requirements.
→ Visa and residence permit: a visa or residence/work permit is not required at the application stage and is not a selection criterion. Where needed, it will be arranged after selection and before the start of employment, with the support of the recruiting organisation. Candidates from non-EU countries are equally welcome to apply.
Selection process
Interested candidates are strongly advised to carefully read the job description and eligibility criteria before applying.
For inquiries, please contact:
Email: [contact details available in the full listing]
Email object: FAroGels – Information DC6
Applications for this position must be submitted through both of the following channels:
- send a complete CV and a letter of motivation (up to 2 pages) stating the research experience and interest and name and contact information of at least two referees providing recommendation letter to [contact details available in the full listing] and Ms. Anke Wagner-Schon, Head of HR, at [contact details available in the full listing]. Please use the formula “FAroGels – Application DC6” in the object of your correspondence. Additionally, copies of diplomas and list of courses taken, and grade obtained as well as proof of English level needs to be included in the application. Any other information you deem relevant for application purpose may be included in the application (e.g. pdf of a recent scientific publication, extra curriculum activities, certificates). Eligible applicants will undergo a pre-selection evaluation based on the CV, experience and skills. Short-listed applicants will be invited for an interview with the evaluation committee members.
- FAroGels online application form – in addition, please complete the application form at https://farogels.eu/apply/ and upload the same documents there.
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: MyBiotech GmbH
Country: Germany
City: Überherrn
Postal Code: 66802
Street: Industriestrasse 1B
Contact
City: Überherrn
Website: https://mybiotech.de/
Street: Industriestrasse 1B
Postal Code: 66802
