Master’s Thesis: Surface Modification of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Magnetic Extraction and Identification of Bacterial Pathogens

Your Workplace
We are offering an exciting Master’s thesis project for a motivated student interested in surface chemistry, material science, biochemistry and microbiology. The project will investigate the magnetic extraction of pathogens from complex matrices using peptide functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. The aim is to develop a strategy to minimize the release of resistant bacteria into the environment and also to explore applications in whole-blood infections in the context of sepsis diagnostics.

Starting in July 2026, the work will involve the synthesis of peptide functionalized SPIONs using EDC/S-NHS and click chemistry, their characterization and extraction experiments involving various clinically relevant pathogens in different media. The project will be conducted in a hospital-based research environment in close collaboration with the Section for Experimental Oncology and Nanomedicine (SEON).

Our benefits

• Employment in an academic setting with interesting insights into research processes
• Valuable work experience
• Flexible hours

We Offer

• Hands-on experience with advanced chemistry and microbiological methods.
• Insight into the translation of research to clinical application.
• Supervision in an interdisciplinary academic and clinical environment.
• Opportunity to contribute to an innovative research project (publication prospect).
• Close interaction with both hospital-based and engineering research teams.
• Thorough onboarding process with a dedicated team
• Joint team activities
• Offices within comfortable walking distance of public transport
• Active health management

Your Tasks
Your Responsibilities

• Functionalization of SPIONs according to established laboratory protocols, as well as the investigation of a novel route based on click chemistry.
• Physicochemical characterization of obtained particles (AES, DLS, Zeta potential, FTIR, VSM/SQUID, etc.).
• Design and implementation of extraction protocols using clinically relevant pathogens in a hospital-based environment (e.g., quantification via qPCR and MALDI-TOF).

Your Profile
Your Profile

• Background in chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, biotechnology, or a related field.
• Basic understanding of chemistry, material science and microbiology
• Experience with nanoparticle synthesis, characterization methods and microbiological methods (e.g., work in sterile bench, plating, qPCR) is an advantage.
• Careful, reliable, and structured working style.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative research team.

Supplementary description
Application

If you are interested, please send your CV and a short motivation letter to:

and

Application deadline

2026-07-01

Title

Master’s Thesis: Surface Modification of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Magnetic Extraction and Identification of Bacterial Pathogens

Job start date

2026-07-01

Payment

Gehaltsrange (brutto pro Jahr)

Working time

full or part time

Weekly working hours

40

### Temporary Contract yes

Period of Temporary Contract

6 Months

Further general conditions

work location

Glücksstr. 1
91054 Erlangen

contact

Emily Hausen
Tel.: +49 9131 85-0
Mobil:
emily.hausen@uk-erlangen.de

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FAU is a modern, cosmopolitan and family-friendly employer. We welcome your application irrespective of your age, gender, cultural and social background, religion, ideological beliefs, disability or sexual identity. Applicants with a disability or who are considered to be equivalent to people with a disability will be given preference provided their aptitude, performance and capability are essentially the same. We are happy to offer part-time positions, provided a job-sharing arrangement means that the tasks in the area are fully covered.

If you wish, you may invite a person responsible for ensuring equal rights to accompany you to the job interview without incurring any disadvantages.