Postdoctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d) – Characterization of Bio-Nano Interfaces

The Chair of Complex Soft Matter at the TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan is seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d) – Characterization of Bio–Nano Interfaces at the earliest possible date.

The Chair of Complex Soft Matter at the TUM School of Life Sciences is seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d) – Characterization of Bio–Nano Interfaces at the earliest possible date. The position offers the opportunity to develop and apply advanced methodologies for investigating interactions at bio–nano interfaces, with particular emphasis on colloidal systems, molecular recognition, and functional nanostructured materials for life science applications. The successful candidate will contribute to research activities associated with the recently awarded ERC Consolidator Grant project “Engineering Multivalency for Superselective Recognition of Pathogen Targets” (EngToTarget), offering a unique opportunity to contribute to emerging approaches in molecular self-assembly, biointerface science, and advanced materials characterization.

About Us:

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is one of Europe’s leading academic institutions. At the TUM School of Life Sciences, Prof. Stefan Guldin recently established the Chair of Complex Soft Matter. We are interested in deploying molecular self-assembly to create bio-inspired, bio-derived, and bio-integrated materials that interface with life sciences. Our research focuses on understanding and controlling the formation and interactions of soft materials at the nanoscale using building blocks including polymers, biomolecules, vesicles, and nanoparticles to engineer colloidal systems and interfaces with targeted functionality and selective molecular recognition. A major focus of the group is the development of advanced characterization methodologies for soft matter, colloids, and bio–nano interfaces, including atomic force microscopy (AFM), scattering techniques, spectroscopy, acoustic sensing, and imaging-based microstructural analysis. Current activities include nanostructured biosensing interfaces for extracellular vesicle detection, mesoporous material architectures for pore-blockage sensing of biomolecular targets, and the investigation of protein interactions at functional biointerfaces.

Your Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development of nanostructured and mesoporous material architectures for biosensing and biointerface applications

• Investigate colloidal and biomolecular interactions at interfaces, including adsorption, binding, transport, and assembly phenomena

• Support the integration of experimental data analysis, image analysis, and quantitative interpretation methodologies for complex materials systems

• Develop robust and reproducible experimental workflows, including detailed documentation of protocols, data analysis pipelines, and methodologies

• Work closely with researchers across materials science, chemistry, life sciences, and engineering in a highly interdisciplinary environment

• Contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations, grant development, and dissemination activities

• Support and mentor doctoral, master’s, and undergraduate researchers within the group

Your Profile:

• PhD in materials science, chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, bioengineering, nanoscience, or a related discipline

• Strong experimental background in soft matter, colloid science, biointerfaces, or advanced nanomaterials characterization

• Hands-on experience with one or more advanced characterization techniques, ideally including atomic force microscopy, ellipsometry, infrared or Raman spectroscopy, light and X-ray scattering methods quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring, or related techniques

• Experience with biosensing, biomolecular interactions, colloidal systems, mesoporous materials, or nanostructured interfaces is advantageous

• Familiarity with quantitative data analysis, image analysis, or scientific programming is beneficial

• Strong problem-solving abilities, rigorous experimental practice, and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research at the interface of materials science and life sciences

• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within an international and collaborative research environment

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

What We Offer:

• The opportunity to contribute to a next-generation research environment for advanced characterization and engineering of bio–nano interfaces

• Participation in a highly interdisciplinary and internationally visible research programme combining colloid science, molecular self-assembly, biointerfaces, and advanced materials characterisation

• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure and advanced characterisation platforms • Significant scientific freedom to shape research directions, methodologies, and emerging platform technologies within a rapidly growing area of the group

• A clear perspective for development towards a group leader position within the emerging research area of bio–nano interface science, including opportunities to build an independent scientific profile, initiate collaborative projects, contribute to grant development, and support the supervision of junior researchers

• A collaborative, ambitious, and supportive international team environment with opportunities for professional development, international collaboration, and career progression

• Salary according to TV-L, initially limited to 24 months with the possibility of extension subject to performance and funding availability

Application:

This position is suitable for individuals with severe disabilities. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if their qualifications, skills and professional performance are otherwise essentially equal.

TUM is committed to increasing the proportion of women in its workforce; applications from women are therefore expressly encouraged.

Please submit your complete application documents as a single PDF file by 21 June 2026 to admin.cosmat@ls.tum.de. For informal inquiries, please contact: Prof. Stefan Guldin guldin@tum.de

We appreciate you interest in the Technical University of Munich and you application for the advertised position. By submitting your application, you have provided us with personal data. Please note our privacy notice pursuant to Article 13 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) regarding the collection and processing of personal data in connection with your application, available at https://portal.mytum.de/kompass/datenschutz/Bewerbung/.

Kontakt: admin.cosmat@ls.tum.de