Postdoc Position (m/f/div) in bioinspired protein materials and sustainable 3D printing

The Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems spans two campuses in Stuttgart and Tübingen, working together toward a common goal: advancing the frontiers of artificial intelligence and robotics. By combining expertise, the institute explores the fundamental principles of intelligent systems from multiple perspectives.

Scientists at the Stuttgart site focus on the physical realization of intelligent systems, researching in the fields of robotic materials, haptic intelligence, soft robotics, and bio‑inspired robotics.

The Biomimetic Materials and Machines Group at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart, led by Dr. Florian Hartmann, is looking for a Postdoc Position (m/f/div) in Bioinspired Protein Materials and Sustainable 3D Printing, starting from October 1, 2026.

The group is interested in sustainable materials and technologies that can biodegrade after use and in building autonomous robotic systems inspired by nature’s diversity. To this end, the team combines materials innovation with novel fabrication processes to engineer functional material systems that address societal challenges in resource availability and climate change. A core mission of the lab is to develop high‑performance biomaterials that can be processed through additive manufacturing.

 

Project summary

In a project in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, the lab aims is to investigate bioinspired solutions to replace commodity plastics in applications that require high environmental durability. Conventional hard plastics are indispensable in modern manufacturing but carry a well‑known environmental cost—high energy processing, persistent waste, and reliance on petrochemical feedstocks.

For this position, the goal is to demonstrate that protein‑based materials, when engineered with the right structural and chemical design principles, can match the mechanical performance of plastics while remaining fully biodegradable.

The position will be broadly in the area of polymer chemistry and engineering, advanced manufacturing, and microfluidics. Some research directions of interest within this domain are: 

1. Synthesis of biomaterials—synthesis of protein-based biomaterials and crosslinking strategies
2. Additive manufacturing—multi-material 3D printing of custom materials
3. Microfluidic mixing—strategies to mix materials on demand using microfluidic methods

 

Education and experience

Candidates should have the following qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in chemical engineering, materials science, biochemistry, or a related field
• Experience in preparing research articles
• Experience with polymers, hydrogels, crosslinking chemistry, or biopolymer systems is an advantage
• Experience with extrusion‑based printing, microfluidics, or fluidic mixing systems is also an advantage
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English
• Interest in materials development, additive manufacturing, and building prototypes
• Interest in interdisciplinary research bridging chemistry, material science, and engineering
• Interest in contributing to the development of a growing, collaborative research group

 

Offer

• An international, multidisciplinary, highly motivating working environment
• Extensive mentoring, supervision, and career planning opportunities
• Collaboration with world‑leading research groups within the Max Planck Network on Sustainable Materials and beyond
• Ntwork opportunities through conferences, seminars, and research visits
• Competitive salaries with a fully funded position.

The postdoc will receive a fixed‑term employment contract according to the Collective Wage Agreement for the Public Service (TVÖD, salary group E13).

 

Application

Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a full list of publications (with the three most important highlighted), a cover letter (no more than one page), and contact information for two to three references. Applicants are encouraged to use the cover letter to describe which research direction they are interested in, why they are interested in it, and how their prior experiences (research and other) have prepared them for it.

Applications should be uploaded to the application portal.

Review of applications will start in June 2026. The application deadline is September 30, 2026. Applications that do not receive a response by October 31, 2026, are no longer under further consideration.

 

Expected start date and duration

The preferred start date is October 1, 2026. The position is fully funded for two years.

For further information about the position, applicants may contact Dr. Florian Hartmann at hartmann@is.mpg.de.

 

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. The society strives for gender equality and diversity. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women and non‑binary individuals in areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages them to apply.