PhD Position in Supramolecular Colloidal Nanomaterials for Medicine and Diagnostics, Technical University of Munich, Germany

Summary

The Technical University of Munich’s Chair of Complex Soft Matter seeks a Research Associate (E13) with the possibility to pursue a doctorate. The role focuses on designing supramolecular colloidal nanomaterials for medical and diagnostic applications, integrating synthesis, high‑throughput automated experiments, and data‑driven materials design. The successful candidate will work on the ERC‑funded EngToTarget project, characterising multivalent nanoparticles and their interactions with biological targets. The position offers a four‑year contract, remuneration according to TV‑L E13, and access to state‑of‑the‑art facilities. The team is international, English‑speaking, and supportive, providing opportunities for teaching, publications, and professional development.

Key Facts

Employer	Technical University of Munich
Department	Chair of Complex Soft Matter, TUM School of Life Sciences
Position Type	Research Associate – Multivalent Colloid Science (E13, with the opportunity to pursue a doctorate)
Discipline	Chemistry, Materials Science, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, or related
Research Area	Supramolecular Colloidal Nanomaterials for Medicine and Diagnostics
Degree Required	Master’s degree or equivalent
Experience	Experimental research experience in synthetic chemistry, colloid science, soft matter, or functional nanomaterials
Salary	Remuneration according to TV-L E13
Funding	Remuneration according to TV-L E13, funded by ERC Consolidator Grant
Contract Duration	four years
Language	English
Deadline	2026-11-15
Required Documents	Complete application documents as a single PDF file
Employer Contact	[email protected]; Prof. Stefan Guldin [email protected]
Employer Address	Bavaria (Bayern), 80333, Bavaria (Bayern)

About the Project

The EngToTarget ERC Consolidator Grant aims to engineer multivalency for super‑selective recognition of pathogen targets by combining experimental chemistry, automated high‑throughput synthesis, and data‑driven materials design to create multivalent colloidal nanoparticles with tailored biomolecular interactions.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the ERC Consolidator Grant project EngToTarget
• Synthesize, surface‑functionalise and characterise colloidal nanoparticles
• Perform high‑throughput automated synthesis and characterisation
• Investigate nanoparticle interactions with biological targets
• Establish relationships between molecular architecture and recognition
• Develop reproducible experimental workflows and data‑driven optimisation
• Analyse and document experimental data
• Collaborate across chemistry, materials science, life sciences and computation
• Contribute to scientific publications and conference presentations
• Assist in teaching and supervise bachelor’s and master’s projects

Required Skills

• Experimental research experience in synthetic chemistry, colloid science or soft matter
• Ligand synthesis and nanoparticle surface functionalisation
• Familiarity with NMR, mass spectrometry, light scattering, UV‑vis or fluorescence spectroscopy
• Quantitative data analysis and scientific programming (advantageous)
• Strong problem‑solving abilities and careful experimental practice
• Ability to work independently and in an international team
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English

Who Should Apply

Candidates holding a master’s degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, materials science, nanoscience, chemical engineering or a related field, with experimental research experience in synthetic chemistry, colloid science or functional nanomaterials, and strong English communication skills.

Benefits

• Opportunity to pursue a doctorate at TUM within an ERC‑funded project
• Interdisciplinary research programme combining chemistry, self‑assembly, bio‑interfaces and data‑driven design
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art laboratory infrastructure and advanced characterisation platforms
• Scientific freedom with close mentoring
• Support for publishing, conference participation and international collaborations
• Collaborative international team with teaching experience and professional development opportunities
• Remuneration according to TV‑L E13 for up to four years

About the Employer

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is a leading European university. The Chair of Complex Soft Matter, recently established in the TUM School of Life Sciences, focuses on molecular self‑assembly to create bio‑inspired materials for life‑science applications, employing synthesis, advanced characterisation, automated experimentation and data‑driven design.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application deadline?

15 November 2026.

What documents must be submitted?

A single PDF file containing all application documents.