Research Associate / PhD Student (m/f/x) for a MSCA-DN project

TUD Dresden University of Technology, as a University of Excellence, is one of the leading and most dynamic research institutions in the country. Founded in 1828, today it is a globally oriented, regionally anchored top university as it focuses on the grand challenges of the 21st century. It develops innovative solutions for the worlds most pressing issues. In research and academic programs, the university unites the natural and engineering sciences with the humanities, social sciences and medicine. This wide range of disciplines is a special feature, facilitating interdisciplinarity and transfer of science to society. As a modern employer, it offers attractive working conditions to all employees in teaching, research, technology and administration. The goal is to promote and develop their individual abilities while empowering everyone to reach their full potential. TUD embodies a university culture that is characterized by cosmopolitanism, mutual appreciation, thriving innovation and active participation. For TUD diversity is an essential feature and a quality criterion of an excellent university. Accordingly, we welcome all applicants who would like to commit themselves, their achievements and productivity to the success of the whole institution.

At the Center for Molecular Bioengineering (B CUBE), the Chair of BioNano-Tools offers, subject to the availability of resources, a position as

Research Associate / PhD Student (m/f/x)

for a MSCA-DN project

starting October 1, 2026. The position is initially limited to 24 months max. until November 30, 2028. An extension to allow completion of the PhD project is intended. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz – WissZeitVG). The PhD student will receive a salary, including a living allowance, a mobility allowance and a family allowance (if eligible). Applicants may be of any nationality. However, at the date of recruitment, the applicant must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies etc.) in Germany for more than 12 months in the last 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment.

Tasks: (i) biochemical preparation of motor proteins, (ii) setup of in vitro motility assays, (iii) development of strategies to mechanically couple molecular motors, (iv) dynamic acquisition of motor-driven movement by high-resolution fluorescence microscopy and/or magnetic/optical tweezers, (iv) quantitative image processing, data analysis and modeling.

The project is funded by the MARIE SKŁODOWSKA CURIE ACTIONS (MSCA) Doctoral Network (DN) MOtorized NAnomachines: fundamentaLs, InnovationS, Applications (MONALISA) within the Horizon 2020 Program of the European Commission [ DN MONALISA, a consortium of nine partners composed of high-profile universities, research institutions and companies located in Europe, will train 15 doctoral candidates in a highly innovative and interdisciplinary scientific network. Scientifically, artificial molecular machine research and technologies are critical fields with the potential to offer significant benefits to chemical synthesis, medical technologies and treatment, smart materials, and nanotechnology. However, due to their novelty, there is a shortage of specialists in this sector, resulting in limited research manpower. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions program, the MONALISA project will bring together specialists, Nobel laureates, prestigious institutions, an