Using a one-pot reaction technique, monodisperse $gamma-Fe_2O_3$ nanoparticles were prepared by thermal decomposition of Fe$(CO)_5$ in the presence of a long alkyl chain terminated dendron surfactant. The size of the particles is controlled by adjusting the concentration of the dendron ligands in the reaction solution. Spherical, 2 nm sized nanoparticles were obtained with a 3:1 ratio of dendrons to Fe$(CO)_5$, while 4.6 nm sized particles were formed with a 1:3 ratio. Superparamagetic properties of 2 nm, 4 nm, and 4.6 nm sized particles were measured using a SQUID magnetometer.