Saarland University is a campus university with an international reputation for research excellence, particularly in
computer science and in the life sciences and nanosciences. The university is also distinguished by its close ties to
France and its strong European focus. Around 17,000 students, studying over one hundred different academic
disciplines, are currently enrolled at Saarland University. Saarland University is officially recognized as one of
Germany’s family-friendly higher-education institutions and with a combined workforce of more than 4000 it is one
of the largest employers in the region.
The department Organic Chemistry II is inviting applications for the following position commencing 01 March 2027
Academic research assistant (m/f/x)
Reference number W2939, salary in accordance with the German TV-L salary scale1, pay grade: E13 TV- L, duration
of employment: 24 months, volume of employment: 100 % of standard working time.
Workplace/Department:
The advertised position is based in an international, collaborative research group working at the interface of organic
synthesis, photochemistry and physical organic chemistry. The project is supported by a Boehringer Ingelheim
Exploration Grant, which funds high-risk, high-reward research and aims at bridging organic synthesis,
photochemistry and protein biochemistry. The proposed project seeks to go beyond nature’s toolkit of redox-active
cofactors by developing artificial, light-responsive cofactor-enzyme combinations that open up reactivity not found
in biology. You will work on a novel class of fully organic, nucleotide-inspired photoactive molecules and explore how
they can be integrated into enzymes to enable light-driven transformations under mild conditions. The long-term
goal is the development of a new platform for artificial photobiocatalysis.
Job requirements and responsibilities:
Plan and carry out independent, innovative research within the project framework
Design and synthesize cofactor analogues using modern organic and bioorganic methods
Express, purify and engineer enzymes
Perform photochemical and spectroscopic experiments
Analyze, interpret and document data rigorously; maintain good laboratory and data management practice (FAIR
principles)
Publish results in international journals and present them at conferences
1 TV-L = collective agreement on remuneration of public sector employees in the German Länder
The pay grade assigned to an employee depends on their professional qualifications and the number of years of service. Each pay grade is
further subdivided into levels. Entry-level employees with no previous experience will initially be assigned a level 1 rating. After one year at
level 1 of the E10 pay grade, an employee will move up to level 2. After a further two years, the employee will move to level 3, etc.
Contribute to project documentation and reporting
Co-supervise doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s students
Collaborate with project partners and interdisciplinary teams
Your academic qualifications:
Doctoral degree / PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical biology or a closely related discipline, completed or
about to be completed
Language skills (according to GER): English (B2+): Spoken for daily interactions, Written (C1) for documentation
The successful candidate will also be expected to:
Demonstrated expertise in synthetic organic chemistry or biocatalysis, and willingness to learn the other
Expertise in photochemistry
Experience with chemical characterization (NMR, HRMS, HPLC)
Contribute to a collaborative, respectful and open research culture
Language skills (according to GER): German (A2) desirable
What we can offer you:
A flexible work schedule allowing you to balance work and family, among other things the possibility of
teleworking
Secure and future-oriented employment with attractive conditions
A broad range of further education and professional development programmes (for example language courses)
An occupational health management model with numerous attractive options, such as our university sports
programme
Supplementary pension scheme (RZVK)
Discounted tickets on local public transport services (‘Job-Ticket‘ of the saarVV)
Job bike leasing (JobRad)
We look forward to receiving your meaningful online application (in a PDF file) by 10.11.2026 to
Please include the reference number W2939 in the subject line of the e-mail.
If you have any questions, please contact us for assistance. Your contact:
Frau Prof. Dr. Jola Pospech
Organic Chemistry II
Pay grade classification is based on the particular details of the position held and the extent to which the applicant meets the requirements of the
pay grade within the TV-L salary scale. Part-time employment is generally possible.
If you have obtained a foreign university degree, a proof of the equivalence of this degree with a German degree by the Zentralstelle für
ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) is needed before hiring. If necessary, please apply for this in time. You can find more information at
https://www.kmk.org/zeugnisbewertung.
Unfortunately, neither costs for attending an interview at Saarland University nor costs for any certificate evaluation by the ZAB can be reimbursed
in principle.
We welcome applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation and
identity. In accordance with its policy of increasing the proportion of women, the University actively encourages applications from women.
Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability.
When you submit a job application to Saarland University you will be transmitting personal data. Please refer to our privacy notice for information
on how we collect and process personal data in accordance with Art. 13 of the Datenschutz-Grundverordnung. By submitting your application you
confirm that you have taken note of the information in the Saarland University privacy notice.