Job Opportunity: Bioinformatics Scientist
The Laboratory for Biological Engineering, led by Professor Randall J. Platt at ETH Zurich in Basel, Switzerland, is at the forefront of developing technologies at the intersection of biological engineering, molecular perturbation technologies, and functional genomics. Our goal is to understand and treat diseases using innovative approaches.
We are currently seeking a skilled Bioinformatics Scientist to collaborate closely with Professor Platt, guiding our group’s computational research, contributing to ongoing projects, and exploring independent research avenues that align with our laboratory's objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and enhance high-throughput experimental platforms requiring novel computational methods.
- Contribute to projects in the following areas:
- In Vivo Single-Cell CRISPR Perturbation Screens: Help analyze large-scale datasets generated from our recent AAV-based method for in vivo single-cell CRISPR screening.
- Transcriptome Recording and Cellular History Reconstruction: Advance our CRISPR-based transcriptional recording method for detecting transient cellular events.
- Participate in project planning, experiment design, and analysis of multi-omic datasets (including transcriptomics, metagenomics, metabolomics, and proteomics).
- Produce scientific publications, grant proposals, and peer reviews.
- Engage in academic collaborations and industry partnerships while providing departmental service.
- Contribute to the education and mentorship of trainees.
Work Commitment
Your work will be distributed roughly as follows: 70% on research, 20% on supervising trainees, and 10% on service duties. Opportunities for career progression to a permanent position, along with a development plan, will also be provided.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have:
- A PhD or equivalent in bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science, applied statistics, or a related field, with significant postdoctoral or equivalent experience (over 6 years) in developing computational methods for large-scale biological datasets.
- Deep methodological expertise, with a comprehensive understanding of current bioinformatics and computational biology techniques, and the capability to autonomously design and execute advanced projects.
- A proven track record in software development, including the creation of well-documented computational tools for the research community.
- Strong leadership and mentorship skills to guide trainees effectively.
- Excellent communication skills to articulate complex topics to diverse audiences in English.
- A history of impactful publications across various venues, demonstrating the ability to craft compelling narratives in scientific research.
- Experience in grant writing with a focus on creating feasible and fundable proposals.
- A successful background with independent contributions that are recognized in the field.
Location and Setting
This position is located in the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE) at ETH Zurich in Basel, a leading interdisciplinary department specializing in systems and synthetic biology, bioinformatics, and engineering sciences. The department is ideally situated within a vibrant biomedical research hub with strong connections to leading academic institutions and biotechnology companies in the region.
Application Process
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
The application deadline is 24 March 2026. Please include the following in your submission as a single PDF:
- A cover letter detailing your scientific background, skills, interests, and motivation for joining the group.
- Your CV.
- Diplomas and course transcripts.
- Contact details for at least two referees.
For any questions regarding this position, please reach out to Prof. Platt directly (questions only; please do not submit applications via email).
Important Dates
- Initial Zoom Call: 1 or 2 April 2026 - Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a brief introductory meeting.
- In-Person Interview: 16 or 17 April 2026 - Selected candidates will be invited for a full in-person interview at the lab.
Expected Start Date: 1 August 2026.
We look forward to your application!