SIIRI is looking for YOU!

Open Positions in the SIIRI Research Consortium

The interdisciplinary research consortium SIIRI – Safety-Integrated and Infection-Reactive Implants is offering the following positions, starting as soon as possible:

• 9 PhD/MD positions, distributed across the following locations:
  • Medical School Hannover (MHH)
  • Leibniz University Hannover (LUH)
  • Technical University Braunschweig (TUBS)
  • Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig
• 1 Postdoc position at the Technical University Braunschweig (TUBS)

We invite highly motivated researchers from the natural sciences, engineering, life sciences, medicine, dentistry, and data science to join our team and contribute to research on the development of safe and smart implants.

5 PhD/MD Positions in Natural and Life Sciences

Hannover Medical School

Department of Orthopedic Surgery
Prof. Andrea Hoffmann

A09-1 – The role of wear particles at the synovia/implant interface in biomimetic 3D in vitro models
Aseptic implant failure of musculoskeletal implants is caused by disturbance of the intricate cellular and biochemical homeostasis through wear particles. The doctoral candidate (biochemistry or other life scientist) will set up a cell culture model for the synovial membrane/implant interface. To do so, commercially available and proprietary biomaterials as well as patient-derived cells will be used. Biochemical, cell and molecular biological analyses will characterize reactions towards wear particles (cooperation with A09-2). In cooperation with a Clinician Scientist, the necessary cells are isolated from patients´ body materials.

Department of Dental Prosthetics and Biomedical Materials Science
Prof. Meike Stiesch

B02 – Molecular mechanisms involved in biofilm-associated peri-implant infections
The doctoral candidate will investigate molecular signatures in peri-implant infections using clinical samples as well as advanced in vitro models. The work includes establishing and monitoring multispecies biofilm models together with 3D implant-tissue models to assess bacterial, enzymatic and metabolite markers across peri-implant health and disease, and to validate these biomarkers within the SIIRI clinical implant cohort. The candidate will also support the analysis and interpretation of molecular and microbiome data and contribute to the preparation of scientific publications. A highly motivated person, preferably with a master’s degree in microbiology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences, or dentistry/oral biology with preferred research experience in microbiology is welcome to apply.

Leibniz University Hannover

Institute of Cell Biology and Biophysics
Prof. Cornelia Lee-Thedieck

A09-2 – The role of wear particles at the bone marrow/implant interface in biomimetic 3D in vitro models
Orthopedic implants can generate wear particles leading to an imbalance of bone homeostasis and, thus, aseptic implant loosening. The doctoral candidate (cell biology, biochemistry or other life sciences) will develop biomimetic 3D in vitro models of the bone marrow/implant interface to elucidate the processes causing aseptic loosening. The models and biomaterials will be based on previous work of the group. Biochemical, cell and molecular biological analyses will be used to study the effects of wear particles on bone marrow homeostasis.

Institute of Inorganic Chemistry
Prof. Sebastian Polarz

B09 – Phototheranostic materials for multimodal implant protection
The project focuses on synthesizing porous organosilica materials that act as active photocatalysts for the triggered release of antibacterial agents. A representative study is ref.: doi: 10.1021/acsami.3c00210. In addition to BSc/MSc degrees in Chemistry, a qualified PhD candidate is interested in synthetic chemistry, working on a project that combines exploring material properties and scientific collaboration with groups in medicine.

Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research 

Research Group Model Systems for Infection and Immunity
Prof. Dagmar Wirth

B01-1 – Cell-based sensor/actuator systems to detect and combat implant-associated infections
Based on previous developments (e.g. doi: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad8bf4), the doctoral candidate will genetically engineer sensor/actor cells to rewire the inflammation-associated signals to the various therapeutic output triggers. Both, autonomous and combinatorial systems will be developed and evaluated in vitro as well as in mouse models.

3 PhD Positions in Engineering Sciences

Hannover Medical School

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Laboratory for Biomechanics and Biomaterials
Prof. Henning Windhagen, Dr. Eike Jakubowitz

A08 – Tissue conserving hip and knee arthroplasty removal
The doctoral candidates will have knowledge and experience in technical mechanics, measurement technology, signal processing and coding. He/she will be entrusted with the design, procurement, construction and programming of mechanical measurement set-ups, the in vitro production of animal and human specimens and performing in vitro investigations. He/she will conduct planning, ethical validation and execution of clinical pilot studies.

Leibniz University Hannover

Institute of Mechanics and Computational Mechanics
Prof. Fadi Aldakheel

A07 – Surrogate modeling for monitoring of implants
The doctoral candidate will focus on developing and customizing machine learning-based simulation tools for automatic parametric investigations of hip and cochlear implants. The work will involve developing physics-informed surrogate models and related tools based on high-fidelity data and computational models in close cooperation with all project partners.

Institute of Continuum Mechanics
Prof. Philipp Junker, Dr. Meisam Soleimani

B07 – Simulation of biofilm growth and drug-induced degradation 
The doctoral candidate will develop computational models of multispecies biofilm growth under antimicrobial treatment at the implant–biofilm interface. The work requires strong expertise in continuum mechanics, material modeling, and numerical implementation. Tasks include building multiscale reaction–diffusion–mechanics models, validating them with experimental data, and optimizing simulation algorithms. The candidate will conduct parameter studies and prepare scientific publications. A Master’s degree in mechanical, or computational engineering is required.

1 PhD Position in Data Science

Leibniz University Hannover / TIB

Leibniz Information Center for Science and Technology
Prof. Sören Auer, Dr. Oliver Karras

INF – Research data management for safety-integrated and infection reactive implants
The doctoral candidate will implement the data and knowledge management system independently in consultation with the project management. As a software developer, he/she will work closely with the scientists to develop the common vocabulary specific to research elements. He/she will utilize the CKAN platform and the ORKG for the RDM solution. For both instances, he/she will develop and implement any extensions necessary to integrate the common vocabulary. He/she conducts user training and is responsible for support.

1 Postdoc Position in Natural Sciences

Technical University Braunschweig

Institute of Technical Chemistry/Sustainable Chemistry
Prof. Henning Menzel

B01-2 – Autonomously controlled chemical sensor/actuator systems to detect and combat implant-associated infections
The postdoc in polymer chemistry will synthesize and characterize a polymeric drug-release system with an enzyme labile linker and test the triggered drug release in-vitro. Furthermore, coatings on model implants will be prepared for in-vitro cells tests by collaborators, to test their function as autonomous release system.

What We Offer

• Cutting-edge, interdisciplinary implant research from basic science to clinical application
• Structured 3-year scientific PhD program and 1-year medical doctoral (MD) program integrated into the Interdisciplinary Research Training Group (IRTG) “Implant Technologies”
• Modern curriculum with defined milestones and European-aligned learning outcomes
• Interdisciplinary mentoring and strong collaborations across medicine, engineering, natural sciences, and data science

What We Expect

• Excellent Master’s degree in the relevant discipline (or medical/dental studies in progress)
• CV showcasing academic achievements
• Motivation letter describing your scientific interests and preferred project(s)

Application

We look forward to receiving your application electronically as a single PDF document in English to siiri@mh-hannover.de by 17 January 2026.

Please direct any questions to the same address.

We promote diversity and explicitly welcome applications from all qualified individuals—regardless of gender, origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, or physical abilities.