Postdoc position

Postdoc Position in Microfluidic EV Isolation for Early Cancer Detection (f/m/d)

We are looking for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d) to join our new group at Heidelberg University. Heidelberg University is a comprehensive research university with a strong international profile. With around 31,300 students and 8,400 employees, including numerous top researchers, it is a globally respected institution and a key player in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region.

Are you passionate about acoustic particle manipulation, microfluidics, biomedical engineering, or chemical engineering? Join us in developing next-generation acoustofluidic platforms to enrich and analyze extracellular vesicles (EVs) from ultra-low volume samples. Our goal is to advance cancer diagnostics and therapeutic applications through innovative device engineering and chemical functionalization.

Your tasks:

• Design and develop microfluidic devices for EV enrichment and separation.
• Explore physical principles of acoustic trapping.
• Integrate ultrasound transducers, electronics, and materials (glass, polymers, 3D printing) into functional prototypes.
• Develop surface functionalization strategies (antibody/aptamer coatings, bead chemistries).
• Work with polymers and hybrid materials for single-use microfluidic devices.
• Interface microfluidic systems with analytical pipelines (LC-MS, ELISA).
• Collaborate closely across disciplines to ensure integration of devices, chemistry, and biological applications.
• Contribute to publications, mentoring of PhD students, and supervision of interdisciplinary projects.

Your profile:

• PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Analytical Chemistry, or related fields.
• Strong expertise in microfluidics and experimental system development
• Hands-on experience with relevant methods:
  • Device fabrication (e.g., soft lithography, 3D printing, cleanroom technology)
  • Microfluidics
  • Optional but advantageous:
    • Acoustofluidics or microscale particle manipulation
    • Analytical chemistry, chromatography
    • Experience with extracellular vesicles
• Analytical abilities and quantitative thinking.
• Experience in data analysis and coding (Python or MATLAB) is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication skills in English; team-oriented, independent, and self-motivated.
• High motivation to work at the interface of engineering, chemistry, and life sciences.

We offer:

• An exciting interdisciplinary project bridging acoustofluidics, chromatography, and extracellular vesicle biology.
• A dynamic and collaborative international research environment.
• Access to cutting-edge microfabrication, chemical, and biological facilities.
• Opportunities for career development, networking, and mentoring.

The position is limited up to 2 years, starting earliest 01.06.2026; salaries are based on the German public sector remuneration system (TV-L, E13, 100%).

Application
We look forward to receiving your application. Please send one PDF file including:
CV, cover letter, contact information for two references, short project idea (max. 1 page) describing how you could contribute to the research project, portfolio of technical skills relevant to the project (max. 1/2 page))

by 31.01.2026 via email to: michael.gerlt@bme.lth.se
 
with the subject line: Postdoc Application [Last Name].

Please note that submitted application documents cannot be returned.

Heidelberg University stands for equal opportunities and diversity. Qualified female candidates are especially invited to apply. Persons with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Information on job advertisements and the collection of personal data is available at Heidelberg University Job Market