Position Announcement: Laboratory Technician
The Stocker Lab at ETH Zurich, part of the Institute of Environmental Engineering, is seeking a practical and motivated laboratory technician (e.g., EFZ Biology or Chemical Laboratory Technician) to join our team from September 1, 2025, until the end of April 2026, with the possibility of extension thereafter.
Project Overview
The successful candidate will contribute to a project focused on developing next-generation microbial technologies for the degradation of persistent pollutants such as PFAS. Through the use of environmental isolates and advanced microbial screening, we engineer bacterial consortia for industrial and environmental bioremediation. This position is vital to ensuring high-quality laboratory workflows and experimental continuity.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare sterile growth media, buffer solutions, and stock reagents.
- Perform microbiological tasks, including pipetting, sterile work, plating, microscopy, and gram staining.
- Cultivate and maintain bacterial strains under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
- Conduct DNA extractions, PCR, and gel electrophoresis.
- Support sequencing workflows (Sanger and Illumina).
- Assist with flow cytometry and analytical procedures (e.g., LC-MS, GC-MS, UPLC - training will be provided).
- Document and manage sample inventories and experimental data.
- Support our Biosafety officer in maintaining lab infrastructure, ordering supplies, and ensuring general lab cleanliness.
- Collaborate with scientists and students to ensure smooth project execution.
Required Qualifications
- Completed apprenticeship (EFZ) as a biology lab technician, chemical lab technician, or equivalent.
- Experience with microbial culture work (plating, streaking, liquid cultures).
- Basic knowledge of molecular biology workflows (e.g., DNA extraction, PCR).
- Familiarity with laboratory safety and sterile techniques.
- Good organizational skills and ability to work independently.
- Strong team player with a proactive mindset.
- English proficiency (C1 or higher).
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with analytical instruments (e.g., LC-MS/MS, flow cytometry, UPLC).
- Experience with anaerobic cultivation or enrichment cultures.
- Familiarity with sequencing workflows (16S, Illumina, Sanger).
- Previous experience in environmental microbiology and bioremediation is a plus.
We encourage individuals who may not meet every qualification but believe they are capable of excelling in this role to apply.
Benefits
- A modern and well-equipped laboratory in a dynamic ETH Zurich environment.
- Hands-on learning and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Involvement in cutting-edge environmental and microbiological R&D.
- Flexible working conditions and opportunities for skill development.
To apply online, please use the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
Contact Information
For any questions regarding the position, please reach out to Dr. Estelle Clerc at eclerc@ethz.ch (no applications).
Please note that pre-selection will be conducted by responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence. For recruitment services, the General Terms and Conditions of ETH Zurich apply.