PhD Position - Chemical Process Engineering and Laboratory Automation

You will contribute to the development of BioConBot, a modular robotic platform for automated biomolecular conjugation reactions. The system will combine preparative laboratory modules, analytical readouts, standardized digital interfaces, and machine-learning-guided closed-loop optimization.
Your work will include the experimental setup and integration of robotic and analytical modules, including liquid handling, spectroscopy, and chromatographic methods. You will develop and validate automated workflows for bioconjugation reactions and compare automated closed-loop optimization experiments with manual reference experiments. A central part of the project will be the programming of experimental workflows, data acquisition, data processing, and instrument-control routines, particularly using Python. You will also contribute to device communication, system validation, scientific documentation, data analysis, publications.
The PhD degree will be awarded by Technische Universität Dresden, one of Germany’s Universities of Excellence.

You have a strong background in (bio)chemical engineering, process engineering, biotechnology, bioengineering, analytical chemistry, automation technology, physics, electrical engineering, or a related discipline. You are enthusiastic about laboratory automation, robotics, analytical workflows, and the development of automated experimental systems.
You have programming experience, preferably in Python, for data analysis, instrument control, workflow automation, or scientific computing. Experience with scientific data processing, experimental control, or interfacing laboratory instruments is highly desirable. An interest in bioconjugation chemistry, protein chemistry, peptide chemistry, nucleic acid chemistry, spectroscopy, chromatography, digital laboratory interfaces, machine learning, closed-loop optimization, or autonomous experimentation would be a strong advantage.
You enjoy interdisciplinary work, are able to work independently and systematically, and have strong communication skills.

We offer a scientifically ambitious PhD project at the interface of chemical process engineering, robotics, analytical chemistry, programming, and machine-learning-guided experimentation. You will have the opportunity to develop and program components of a novel robotic platform for automated biomolecular conjugation chemistry in close collaboration with industrial software partners.
At KSI, you will work in a highly interdisciplinary research environment in sensor technology, bioanalytics, micro/nanotechnology, automation, and scientific instrumentation. You will have access to modern laboratories, analytical instrumentation, microfabrication facilities, and automation infrastructure. The project offers excellent opportunities for scientific publication, conference participation, and doctoral supervision in cooperation with TU Dresden.
We offer compensation according to TV-L E13, 75% and the use of the KSI shuttle between Dresden and Meinsberg.