PhD - Exploring the Physics of Synthetic Molecular Motors Driven by Light

VU Amsterdam
📍 Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands 💼 Full-time 🕒 Posted June 22, 2026

Job Description

Your function

We offer a PhD position on the physics of synthetic molecular motors within the international consortium ‘Joining Forces for Synthetic Molecular Machines’.

Scientific programme: Molecular motors are intriguing nanomachines that convert fuel to useful work and directed motion despite the large random fluctuations that are inherent to the molecular building blocks of our world. Over the past decade there has been a surge of new synthetic unidirectional rotary motors powered by light ( Nobel prize) that have enormous potential to actuate new types of designer molecular machines and materials. Now, it is time to perform the first single-motor force measurements for fundamental mechanistic explorations that enable the next leap forward toward exploitation of these motors in functional molecular machines. 

In this PhD project, you will investigate the physics of individual synthetic molecular motors using advanced single-molecule...

Ready to Apply?

Submit your application today and join our talented team at VU Amsterdam.

Submit Application

Job Details

  • Location Amsterdam, North Holland
  • Job Type Full-time
  • Category Life Scientists
  • Posted Date June 22, 2026
  • Application Deadline August 01, 2026