Postdoc position in the area of Bacteria and Materials interactions 80%-100% (a)

Job content

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa’s around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

The Laboratory for Biointerfaces performs material-related research and focuses on understanding, characterizing and steering interactions of biomolecules, bacteria and human cells at surfaces for materials-based healthcare solutions.

Your tasks

The scope of the position is to investigate bacteria-materials interactions, with the final goal of developing novel antimicrobial materials in a highly interdisciplinary project. The objectives include physicochemical characterization of bacterial and material properties, using BioAFM and microfluidics platform to investigate bacteria and surface interaction at single-cell level and identification of the mode of mechanisms used by bacteria for mechanosensing and the effect of the material properties on bacterial viability. The work should contribute to a fundamental understanding of how bacteria interact with a surface and what influences the involved interaction system. The results should be communicated in peer-reviewed well-known scientific journals.

Your profile

The candidate should have a PhD degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology, or related disciplines with a deep scientific curiosity in bacteria-materials interactions. We are looking for a highly motivated person capable of independent, efficient handling of scientific and industry related projects in an interdisciplinary environment. The candidate is expected to actively bring in his/her scientific expertise and competence and to have excellent communication skills. Experience with at least one of the following methods, biofilm cultivation, AFM, microfluidics, image analysis, large data set analysis and single-cell analysis, are highly desired. Vast knowledge in general microbiological techniques, especially using AFM for bacteria/cell study, is of advantage.

Our offer

We offer a highly stimulating research environment with well-equipped infrastructure as well as an excellent network of scientific and industrial partners. The candidate will work in a multidisciplinary field that combines microbiology, material science, physics and chemistry. The position is limited to two years with options for an extension.

«a» stands for «all» in our job advertisements. We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that’s what counts.

We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.