Job Offers

Scientific Coordinator (TVL-E13)
Bernhard Nieswandt Lab – Chair of Experimental Biomedicine I
at Rudolf Virchow Center (RVZ), Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU), Germany

About the Lab

The Würzburg Platelet Group is internationally recognized for fundamental and translational research in platelet
and megakaryocyte biology, with a particular focus on thrombo-inflammation, thrombopoiesis, and vascular
immunology. We combine mouse genetics, advanced in vivo imaging, disease models (ischemic stroke,
myocardial infarction, pulmonary inflammation, thrombosis), biochemistry, proteomics, and clinical translation.

Our long-term vision is to understand how platelets and their precursors shape vascular homeostasis and
contribute to inflammatory and thrombotic diseases. By dissecting the molecular mechanisms of platelet activation,
receptor signaling, intercellular communication, and platelet–immune cross-talk, we aim to identify new diagnostic
markers and therapeutic strategies.

The lab is embedded within the Rudolf Virchow Center (RVZ) and the University Hospital campus – offering direct
access to world-class core facilities (light-sheet microscopy, multiphoton IVM, cryo-EM, MS-based proteomics,
high-content screening) and a vibrant interdisciplinary community of biologists, physicists, clinicians, and
computational scientists.
 

Your Tasks

As the Scientific Coordinator & Lab Manager, you will:

- Strategy & coordination.

• Support medium- and long-term research planning and cross-project coordination (thrombo-inflammation, thrombopoiesis, translational projects).
• Track milestones, risks and interdependencies and maintain an integrated project roadmap.

- Grants & scientific communication

• Support the PI in preparing grant applications (DFG, ERC, BMBF, EU, foundations): text drafting, work plans, timelines, budgets, risk-mitigation sections.
• Help with manuscripts and preprints and prepare figures, schematics and graphical abstracts (e.g. Adobe Illustrator, Affinity, BioRender).

- Funding & finances

• Scout relevant funding opportunities (DFG, ERC, CRC/SFB, BZKF, foundations, international calls) and help coordinate internal review processes.
• Support budget planning, investment priorities and cost tracking in close interaction with RVZ/JMU/UKW administration.

- Reporting, compliance & data management

• Coordinate scientific and financial reporting for active grants and ensure compliance with funding agency guidelines and internal regulations (ethics, animal use, biosafety where applicable).
• Contribute to data management plans (FAIR principles), documentation and reproducibility standards.

- Internal & external communications

• Act as central contact point for lab organization; structure information flow, meeting schedules and decision logs.
• Coordinate collaborations with academic and industry partners (e.g. MoUs, MTAs, CDAs) in alignment with JMU/UKW technology transfer.

- Events & community

• Help organize seminars, retreats, symposia and collaborator visits.

- Onboarding, fellowships & recruitment

• Support incoming PhD students and postdocs with fellowship applications (e.g. Humboldt, EMBO, DFG) in coordination with faculty administration.
• Assist with recruitment: applicant communication, interview scheduling and visit logistics.

- Operations & lab management

• Oversee onboarding/offboarding, basic lab organization, key inventories and shared equipment scheduling/maintenance in close cooperation with technical staff and core facilities.
• Support EHS-related documentation and routine processes.

Your Profile

• PhD in Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedicine, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology or a related life-science discipline.
• Strong interest in scientific writing and communication; prior experience with grants and/or manuscripts is an advantage.
• Experience or clear motivation to develop skills in project/program management in a research environment.
• Excellent organizational skills and structured, reliable working style.
• Experience with scientific figure preparation and layout (e.g. Adobe Illustrator or equivalent).
• Ability to prioritize, multitask and deliver in a dynamic, interdisciplinary setting.
• Very good communication skills and a proactive, solution-oriented mindset; strong team spirit.
• Fluency in English and good working knowledge of German (written and spoken).

We Offer

• You will join a collaborative, internationally visible environment at the Rudolf Virchow Center / University Hospital Würzburg, working at the forefront of platelet biology, thrombopoiesis and thrombo-inflammation.
• The opportunity to shape grant strategy and multi-group research programs with real translational potential.
• Close interaction with leading national and international collaborators and access to state-of-the-art core facilities (imaging, screening, omics).
• A full-time position (TV-L E13, according to qualifications and experience) with standard public-sector benefits.
• A family-friendly workplace within a supportive university environment.
• Start date: 16.03.2026, initially limited to one year (extension intended, subject to funding).

Female scientists are particularly encouraged to apply. Disabled applicants will be given preferential consideration
in case of equal qualification.

Please send your application as a single PDF file (max. 10 MB), including cover letter, detailed CV, copies of certificates/transcripts and contact details of two referees until January 6, 2026

by e-mail to bernhard.nieswandt@uni-wuerzburg.de

or by post to Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum
Prof. Dr. Bernhard Nieswandt
Josef-Schneider-Str. 2 / D15
97080 Würzburg

Further information: https://www.platelets.eu/

Join Us as a Group Leader (f/m/d)

Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging (RVZ)
University of Würzburg, Germany

Are you ready to lead your own research group in an inspiring, interdisciplinary environment?
The Rudolf Virchow Center (RVZ) at the University of Würzburg is seeking an outstanding early-career scientist to establish an independent research program that is both ambitious and innovative and aligns with the overall focus of the RVZ.

The RVZ unites 14 research groups developing and applying advanced imaging and analytical methods to uncover the molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease — bridging the gap between basic discovery and biomedical innovation.

What We Offer

• Independent group leader position (6 years, 3+3)
• Generous start-up package and substantial core funding
• Collaborative environment across disciplines
• Limited teaching load to focus on research
• Access to state-of-the-art imaging facilities and vibrant research networks (e.g. CRCs UbiCancer, Cardio-immune Interfaces, Decisions in Infectious Diseases, and the upcoming Cluster of Excellence NUCLEATE).

Your Profile

• PhD in the natural sciences (or equivalent)
• A visionary research plan addressing fundamental biomedical questions
• Passion for interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific leadership

Why Würzburg

The RVZ is embedded in a world-class biomedical research ecosystem — including the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, the Max Planck Research Group in Systems Immunology, and the University Hospital Würzburg.
Our university offers outstanding support for international researchers, including relocation, family services, and professional development programs.

We are committed to diversity and equal opportunity, and strongly encourage applications from women and researchers with disabilities.

Apply Now

Send your single PDF application to personal@virchow.uni-wuerzburg.de
including:

1. Cover letter (1 page)
2. CV
3. Publication list (highlighting 5 key papers)
4. Research plan (max. 3 pages)
5. Contact details of 3 referees

Deadline: December 31, 2025
Informal inquiries: katrin.heinze@uni-wuerzburg.de

We, the research group Spahn, are looking for a motivated student assistant to support us experimentally in the wet lab as soon as possible.

Our group is located at the Rudolf Virchow Center in the University Hospital area in Grombühl. In our research, we focus on the investigation of bacterial organization using high-resolution microscopy. These modern methods enable us to image bacteria with a resolution of a few nanometers, thereby gaining insights into fundamental biological processes.

Figure 1: Super-resolution microscopy reveals details of bacterial organization.

To investigate the organization of Escherichia coli cells, we need assistance in diverse research areas. The tasks of the assistant include cultivation of bacteria, preparation of samples for microscopy, as well as microscopic analysis of these samples. The project also requires molecular biology work in the form of plasmid cloning and, possibly, protein purification and fluorescent labeling.

We are looking for interested candidates with the following profile:

- Bachelor's degree in a biological field of study

- Experience in at least one of the following areas:
  microbiology, molecular biology, or microscopy

- High level of motivation and willingness to learn

- Careful and reliable working

- Strong team player, good English skills

The student assistant position is limited to a period of 6 months due to the nature of the project, with a weekly working time of 10 hours.

If you are interested, please send your application, consisting of a short motivation letter and CV, to the following mailing address:

Inka.robinson@uni-wuerzburg.de

Further information about our research can be found on the homepage of the „Nanoscale Bacteriology Labs“: https://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/en/rvz/research-groups/spahn-group/

We are looking forward to your application!