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

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

Location: Dresden, Germany
Start date: October 1, 2026
Duration: up to 24 months, extendable to complete PhD.

The position is offered by the Center for Molecular Bioengineering (B CUBE) Chair of BioNano-Tools within the Department of Chemical Engineering at TU Dresden. The role involves researching artificial molecular motors as part of the MONALISA Doctoral Network funded by the Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare and purify motor proteins for in vitro assays.
• Set up and perform motility assays, including high‑resolution fluorescence microscopy and magnetic/optical tweezers.
• Develop mechanical coupling strategies for molecular motors.
• Acquire and analyze motor‑driven movement, performing quantitative image processing and data modeling.
• Plan and execute research projects, attend training and network meetings, and write scientific articles and a PhD thesis.
• Disseminate findings within the scientific community.

Requirements

• MSc or equivalent in biology, biophysics, bio‑chemistry, or bio‑engineering with excellent English skills.
• Ambitious, curious, creative, energetic, and capable of working within an international multidisciplinary team.
• Not yet awarded a doctoral degree, positioned within the first four years of a research career.
• Eligible for the Fixed‑Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz); must not have spent more than 12 months in Germany in the last three years prior to recruitment.

We offer

• Independent work in a flat hierarchy within a supportive, open‑minded team.
• Flexible working hours to support work‑life balance.
• 30 days of vacation per year (based on a 5‑day workweek).
• Extensive professional development and continuing education opportunities.
• Health care and sports programmes offered by TU Dresden.
• Discounted job ticket, also available as Deutschlandticket.
• Participation in the supplementary pension scheme for public‑sector employees via VBL.

TU Dresden is a founding partner of the DRESDEN‑concept alliance and actively encourages women, people with disabilities, and individuals with equivalent status under German Social Code IX (SGB IX) to apply.