100%, Singapore, fixed-term
The Singapore-ETH Centre, established in 2010 by ETH Zurich - The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF), serves as ETH Zurich's only research center outside of Switzerland. It plays a pivotal role in enhancing research capacity to develop sustainable solutions for global challenges in Switzerland, Singapore, and the surrounding regions.
Located in a rapidly urbanizing part of Asia, the Singapore-ETH Centre addresses critical issues related to urban sustainability, resilience, and health through its programs: Future Cities Lab Global (FCL Global) and Future Health Technologies (FHT).
The center acts as an intellectual hub, uniting principal investigators and researchers from various disciplines. By fostering collaboration with universities, research institutes, and industry partners, we aim to translate knowledge into practical solutions for real-world problems.
Advanced Patient-derived 3D Bone Organoids for In Vitro Osteoporosis Research
Fragility fractures are one of the most serious consequences of impaired skeletal health in older adults, often resulting in reduced mobility, loss of independence, and long-term disability. Current standards of care, while useful for assessing skeletal health and fracture risk, struggle to capture patient-specific biological responses to altered bone remodeling, mechanical loading, and inflammation. This is especially true in osteoporosis and related age-associated bone disorders, where patients exhibit significant variability in bone remodeling activity, inflammatory status, bone formation capacity, and mechanoadaptation capability. A deeper understanding of these differences could inform personalized strategies for osteoporosis research and fracture prevention.
This PhD project builds on the innovative bone organoid culture platform developed at the Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics at ETH Zurich. The goal is to advance fracture prevention research by developing patient-derived organoids specifically for in vitro osteoporosis studies. The doctoral researcher will create workflows to 3D print patient-derived mesenchymal stromal cells, guide their osteogenic differentiation under dynamic mechanical stimulation, and co-culture them with peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These models will facilitate the investigation of osteoporosis-related bone remodeling, immune-bone interactions, donor-specific osteoporotic phenotypes, and mineralization dynamics, including the impact of age-related comorbidities on bone remodeling.
Biological readouts from these organoids will contribute to predictive modeling frameworks for bone remodeling trajectories and fracture risk, furthering the development of human-relevant in vitro models for precision musculoskeletal care.
The PhD candidate will closely collaborate with engineers, clinicians, biologists, and computational researchers to generate robust biological datasets for personalized modeling of bone remodeling and fracture prevention.
Key responsibilities include:
Applicants should hold an MSc degree in biomedical engineering or a related discipline. Upon successful completion of studies, the PhD degree will be conferred by ETH Zurich.
The ideal candidate will have previous experience in tissue engineering and mammalian cell culture. Familiarity with 3D cell culture, organoids, bone or musculoskeletal research, bioreactor-based culture systems, and mechanical tissue stimulation is advantageous. Experience with human primary cells, mesenchymal stromal cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, osteoclast differentiation, immune cell assays, or inflammatory signaling is considered a strong asset.
Proficiency in molecular, histological, imaging, and biochemical techniques—such as immunostaining, microscopy, gene expression analysis, cytokine profiling, mineralization assays, or osteoclast activity assays—is required. Familiarity with computed tomography, image analysis, Python-based data analysis, or quantitative data analysis would be an additional benefit.
Candidates should be highly motivated, possess a strong interest in skeletal research and precision medicine, and demonstrate resilience in overcoming experimental challenges. They must be capable of tackling complex research topics with growing independence, fostering constructive engagement with supervisors and collaborators, and integrating feedback thoughtfully. Applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English, and experience in a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary research setting is advantageous.
The Singapore-ETH Centre is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, comprising individuals from over 30 nationalities. We prioritize mutual learning and provide a supportive environment geared toward physical and mental wellness.
ETH Zurich is committed to fostering an inclusive culture, promoting equality of opportunity, and nurturing a working and learning environment where the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. Sustainability is integral to our mission, and we strive continuously towards a climate-neutral future.
Apply online using the form below. Please ensure your application presents:
For more information about The Singapore-ETH Centre, please visit our website. For inquiries concerning this position, contact Prof. Dr. Ralph Müller at ram@ethz.ch.
Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
Location : Zürich
Country : Switzerland