Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin (MPZPM) is an interdisciplinary research facility of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and the University Hospital Erlangen. Research at MPZPM is focused on the physics of cells and their microenvironment.

The Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V. MPG is a world-leading, independent, non-profit research organization with the goal to promote cutting-edge basic research. Within 84 Max Planck Institutes over 24,000 employees pursue basic research in broad areas of life and natural sciences as well as humanities, social sciences and law and have a strong interest in innovative and interdisciplinary research.

We are seeking several young scientists (m/f/d) who are in a strong position to apply for funding to lead anIndependent Research Group at the newly established Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin (MPZPM) in Erlangen, Germany, ( Both theory- and experiment-oriented researchers are encouraged to apply.

Outstanding applicants will be invited to a scientific symposium and interview onJuly 20-21, 2026 . In case of a positive evaluation, successful applicants will receive support from MPZPM to apply for various funding schemes (e.g., ERC, DFG). Candidates will be offered laboratory and office space as well as access to four central core facilities delivering cutting-edge microscopy, state-of-the-art lab-on-chip fabrication, advanced cell culture platforms, and animal research capabilities (mouse, fish, frog). Group leaders will also benefit from strong institutional integration, scientific independence, visibility, mentorship, and networking opportunities associated with a Max Planck research environment.

MPZPM is an international and interdisciplinary research center housed in a modern building inaugurated in 2024 and operated by the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL), in close collaboration with the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen. Research at MPZPM opens a new chapter in physics-based approaches to medicine, aiming to elucidate the role of physical principles in understanding life, health, and disease. With a focus on cells and tissues within their microenvironment, scientists at MPZPM seek to quantify and model physical phenomena such as cellular forces and migration patterns, electrical, mechanical, and biochemical gradients, as well as temperature and density distributions, and to link these parameters to specific physiological functions.

MPZPM is involved in numerous interdisciplinary research consortia, and it hosts the International Max Planck Research School Physics from Light to Life (IMPRS-PLL) as a dedicated graduate program, which trains the next generation of scientists at the interface of physics and basic medical research.

YOUR APPLICATION

Applications should include

a cover letter
a CV
a list of publications
a one-page summary of scientific achievements
a two-page research plan
names of at least two persons who could act as reference.

If you are interested, please apply via our application portal. The search committee will start reviewing applications onApril 20, 2026.

Questions can be addressed to Prof. Vahid Sandoghdar ( ).

The Max-Planck-Gesellschaft is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.

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