PhD & Postdoc Openings in Neurotechnology at ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Summary

The Neurotechnology Group of Prof. Mehmet Fatih Yanik at ETH Zurich is seeking highly motivated researchers for a newly funded LOOP Zurich Flagship Project. The goal is to advance a breakthrough technology for non-invasive, targeted drug delivery to the brain. This highly interdisciplinary project focuses on advancing the chemical formulation and engineering of ultrasound-responsive drug carriers from proof-of-concept toward clinical translation.

PhD & Postdoc Openings in Neurotechnology at ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Designation

Postdoctoral Researcher and PhD Student (100%, Fixed-term)

Overview Details

Research Area

Neurotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Drug Carrier Formulation, Precision Neurotherapeutics, and Focused Ultrasound-Mediated Brain Drug Delivery.

Location

Zurich, Switzerland

Eligibility/Qualification

Applicants must be highly motivated, creative, and enjoy solving interdisciplinary challenges.

• Educational Background:
  • PhD Applicants: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree (a Master’s degree is highly preferred).
  • Postdoctoral Applicants: Must hold a PhD.
  • Accepted Disciplines: Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences/Pharmaceutics, Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Key Skills & Experience:
  • Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB).
  • Experimental laboratory experience in drug formulation, nanoparticle/microbubble synthesis, or colloid chemistry.
  • Hands-on experience with carrier characterization (e.g., dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, HPLC, electron microscopy).
  • Expertise in microfluidic synthesis, purification, and assessing drug encapsulation efficiency and release kinetics.
  • For Postdocs: A strong track record of peer-reviewed publications in nanomedicine, drug delivery, or pharmaceutical sciences.
• Desirable Assets:
  • Prior experience with focused ultrasound or biomedical instrumentation.
  • Experience with animal experiments (in vivo studies, handling, imaging, surgical procedures). Note: Candidates must be willing to participate in animal experiments as the project involves translational preclinical studies.

Job Description

The selected candidates will play a central role in the chemical engineering and characterization of drug carriers. Depending on your experience and interests, responsibilities may include:

• Designing and synthesizing ultrasound-responsive drug carrier formulations (e.g., nanodroplets, microbubbles, liposomes, polymeric/lipid nanoparticles).
• Optimizing encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, and release kinetics.
• Conducting physicochemical characterization of carriers and assessing their stability under physiological conditions and ultrasound exposure.
• Engineering chemical production processes like microfluidics, emulsification, and sonication.
• Developing analytical methods for drug quantification and evaluating in vitro/in vivo therapeutic efficacy.
• Integrating carrier formulations with ultrasound delivery systems and collaborating with clinicians to prepare for first-in-human clinical studies.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted exclusively through the ETH Zurich Online Application Portal. Emailed or postal applications will not be considered.

Please specify whether you are applying for the PhD or Postdoctoral position and submit a single PDF document containing:

1. Cover Letter (1 page): Outlining your motivation and research interests.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV).
3. Transcripts & Certificates: Bachelor’s and Master’s transcripts showing grades (for PhD applicants); PhD certificate and transcripts (for Postdoc applicants).
4. Degree Certificates.
5. Publications: (if applicable).
6. References: Contact details of at least two academic referees.

(For specific questions regarding the position, you can contact ntjobs@ethz.ch)

Last Date for Apply

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