PhD Student / Research Associate in Motorized Nanomachines and Molecular Bioengineering Technische Universität Dresden in Germany

Call for applications for a Research Associate / PhD Student position in motorized nanomachines and molecular bioengineering at Technische Universität Dresden, Center for Molecular Bioengineering (B CUBE), Germany.

The position is part of the MSCA Doctoral Network MONALISA (Horizon Europe / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions), an interdisciplinary European training network focused on artificial molecular machines, nanotechnology, and bio-inspired motor systems. The research aims to build and study motor-protein-based nanosystems that mimic biological motion, including oscillatory nano-scale motion, bidirectional cargo transport, and mechanically coupled molecular machines.

Research topics include biochemical preparation of motor proteins, in vitro motility assays, coupling molecular motors into synthetic systems, high-resolution fluorescence microscopy, magnetic and optical tweezers, image processing, data analysis, and modeling. The project has clear links to biophysics, biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, materials science, and molecular robotics.

Funding is provided through the MSCA salary package and includes a living allowance, mobility allowance, and family allowance if eligible. The appointment is initially limited to 24 months, with an extension intended to allow completion of the PhD. The network also offers international secondments, advanced training, local courses, and structured career development.

Eligibility: applicants should hold an MSc or equivalent in biology, biophysics, biochemistry, bioengineering, or a related life science field, and have excellent English skills. MSCA mobility and early-career rules apply: applicants must not already hold a PhD, must be within the first 4 years of their research career, and must not have lived or worked in Germany for more than 12 months in the last 3 years before recruitment.

Application deadline: 31 July 2026. Submit a single PDF containing a motivation letter, CV, publication list, and two references. Applications should be sent preferably via the TUD SecureMail Portal or by email to [email protected].