Open Position: (Postdoctoral) Researcher (m/f/d)

Model Building for SPM Images of Macro(bio)molecules

Your project: Build and test a GPU-accelerated program to detect and interpret SPM images of single molecules into their respective 3D molecular structures.

Aim: Design, build, and test computer programs to interpret SPM images into 3D molecular structures.

Fields: Code development, Software design, Parallel computing, Model building, Computational chemistry, Biomolecular structures.

Techniques: GPU computing, Image segmentation, Molecular dynamics, Scanning probe microscopy (SPM), Electron microscopy (EM).

We offer

1. A full-time research-innovation position with salary and benefits are according to German TVöD, funded by ERC Proof of Concept Project Virgil for an initial appointment of one and half years, with the trajectory of creating a viable product that may be used as a basis for a spinoff company.
2. Access to CPU/GPU supercomputers in the Max Planck Society to support your technical goals.
3. Collaboration opportunities with the Nanoscale Science Department and the European industry leaders in electron microscopy and machine learning, as well as financial support to attend workshops/conferences to develop your professional network.
4. Mentorship in proposal writing, management, and communication skills to finesse your transferable skills.

We seek

Team-oriented “DIY”er, articulate in oral and written English, and a holder of PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Structural Biology, or equivalent (We also consider qualified Bachelor and/or Master degree holders). We prioritize candidates with experience in software design, Python and CUDA coding, molecular dynamics calculations, and model building. Knowledge in physical chemistry, Bayesian statistics, machine learning, computational biology, scanning probe microscopy, and ab initio calculations is advantageous.

To apply

Please email Dr. Kelvin Anggara (k.anggara@fkf.mpg.de) using the title ‘Virgil_PDF’ and attach:

1. one-page letter as PDF (explain in specifics why you are a good fit and how does this position advance your career),
2. CV as PDF (include publication, research experience, and contacts of two referees),
3. and your tech portfolio (i.e. what have you built?) – and, if any, your code demo – as either PDF or webpage (e.g. GitHub).

Review of applications begins on March 2025 and continues until the position is filled. The Max Planck Society endeavors to achieve gender equality and diversity. We seek to increase the number of women in areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourage women to apply. The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from individuals with disabilities.