Research Assistants; Doctoral Researcher; m​/f​/d

Overview

10 Positions for Research Assistants (Doctoral Researcher) (m/f/d) are offered by the Universities of Stuttgart and Freiburg within the new Research and Training (RTG) group GRK 3123 “Bio Build – Bioinspired Materials and Systems for Responsive Building Components”. The RTG Bio Build is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and is located at the interface between architecture, engineering, and natural sciences.

The program will start on 01.04.2026. The research focus is on bio-inspired building envelopes that respond flexibly to weather and light conditions, thereby reducing the energy required to operate buildings. Graduate schools offer doctoral students the opportunity to pursue a doctorate in a structured research and qualification program at a high academic level.

Via this program, several doctoral researcher (PhD) positions in the field of bioinspiration, materials research, process technology and architecture will be opened. Topics include:

• Deciphering mechanics and kinematics of motile plant organs
• Designing responsive materials systems for compliant mechanisms
• Upscaling 4D printing for responsive mechanisms
• Complex shape changes in fiber-reinforced composites
• Integrating materials systems and fabrication processes for responsive building components

• Final date to receive applications: 20. February 2026
• Publication date: 26. January 2026
• Start-date: 01. April 2026
• Scope of work:
  Part-time position (65 %)
• .:
• Type of employment: part time 65%
  -100% FTE
• Salary category: TVL E13
• Location:
  
  Home base for thesis on Architecture will be Stuttgart, on Material Sciences and Bioinspiration will be Freiburg

The Universities of Stuttgart and Freiburg offer 10 Positions for Research Assistants (Doctoral Researcher) (m/f/d) within the new Research and Training (RTG) group GRK 3123 “Bio Build – Bioinspired Materials and Systems for Responsive Building Components”. The program is funded by the DFG and located at the interface between architecture, engineering, and natural sciences. The research focus is on bio-inspired building envelopes that respond flexibly to weather and light conditions, thereby reducing energy use.

The program aims to provide a doctoral training environment with interdisciplinary research opportunities.

Topics include:
Deciphering mechanics and kinematics of motile plant organs;
Designing responsive materials systems for compliant mechanisms;
Upscaling 4D printing for responsive mechanisms;
Complex shape changes in fiber-reinforced composites;
Integrating materials systems and fabrication processes for responsive building components.

Final date to receive applications: 20.02.2026
, however, later applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

Starting date: from 01.04.2026

Notes on eligibility and offerings: 3+1 year PhD track; E13 TV-L salary; 65%–100% FTE;
Freiburg and Stuttgart locations; equal opportunity and diversity statements apply.

• An excellent master’s or equivalent degree in Architecture, Chemistry, Materials Sciences, Biology or a related field
• A strong interest in interdisciplinary research, plus a creative, proactive, and team-oriented mindset
• High proficiency in English, both written and spoken

We offer a stimulating and supportive environment based on the broad expertise developed in many years of collaboration between our universities. The successful applicant will engage in highly interdisciplinary research in adaptive architecture and bioinspired materials, with access to state-of-the-art infrastructure. On the Stuttgart side this includes the Clusters of Excellence INTCDC with the Advanced Materials Innovation and Characterization Lab (AMICA);

on the Freiburg side the Cluster of Excellence Living, Adaptive and Energy-autonomous Materials Systems (livMatS) with the Freiburg Center on Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT). The program includes qualification and training in the RTG, key transferable skills, and interdisciplinary cooperation. The position is limited to 3+1 years and intended for the completion of a PhD degree.

Please note that the following documents must be…