PhD Student / PhD Student

PhD Student Position in Development of Protocols for Isolation of Microbial Strains for Sustainable Protein Production

100%, Basel, fixed-term

At our organization, we are pioneering technologies that harness whole cell and enzyme catalysts for the manufacturing of substances in sustainable chemistry, innovative food solutions, and active pharmaceutical ingredients.

We are currently offering a PhD student position for a third-party funded project focused on microbial manufacturing of proteins from reactive gases within the innovative non-agricultural food sector.

Project Background

This project is part of the EC-sponsored consortium, HydroCow, which includes partners from the UK, Germany, and Finland, each contributing expertise in metabolic flux modeling, molecular engineering, manufacturing, and marketing.

HydroCow builds upon an existing ultra-high-throughput screening platform designed for the rapid identification of enhanced industrial production strains. Central to this platform are microcolonies cultivated in gel capsules, which undergo fluorescence-based analysis for the precise quantification of the desired products. Notably, this technology will be adapted for the recombinant synthesis of proteins for the first time.

Job Description

The PhD student will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Development of high throughput assays, typically utilizing fluorescence mediated by biosensors or (bio)chemicals
• Characterization of assay performance with lead strains
• Execution of large-scale screening campaigns with up to 1E6 variant strains
• Co-representation and reporting of BPL results in consortium meetings
• Co-coordination of tasks with all consortium partners

Profile

• Master’s degree in molecular biology, microbiology, or industrial biotechnology
• Strong communication (in English) and teamwork skills
• Additional qualifications (all or a subset of the following are desirable):
• A solid background in chemistry and spectrometric analyses
• Experience in developing protocols from scratch (versus implementing commercial kits)
• Familiarity with working under atmosphere control (e.g., glove boxes)
• Prompt availability and commencement of employment are advantageous

Workplace

The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic and interdisciplinary team focused on innovative scientific developments.

We Offer

We provide:

• An intellectually challenging position within an inspiring interdisciplinary team
• Engaging multifaceted work in an international environment that integrates academia and industry
• Opportunities to develop technologies and protocols with commercial applications
• Growth in personal skills, including writing, presentation, and project management
• Possibility to work with and supervise students
• Participation in international conferences and project workshops

We Value Diversity and Sustainability

ETH Zurich is dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture that promotes equal opportunity and values diversity. We strive to maintain an environment that respects the rights and dignity of all staff and students. Explore our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to learn how we cultivate a fair and supportive atmosphere that allows everyone to thrive. Sustainability is a core principle for us, and we are actively pursuing a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We.

We invite you to apply online using the form below with the following documents:

• Letter (max. 1 A4) detailing your background, interest, and motivation
• CV
• Certificates (transcripts from your Master’s degree)
• Two reference letters

For further information about BPL and D-BSSE, please visit our website. Inquiries about the position can be directed to Martin.Held@bsse.ethz.ch (please note, only applications matching the job profile will be considered).

About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich stands as one of the world’s leading universities specializing in science and technology. Known for its exceptional education and groundbreaking fundamental research, we are committed to translating new knowledge into societal benefits. With over 30,000 members from more than 120 countries, we create an environment that stimulates independent thinking and encourages excellence. Based in the heart of Europe, we build connections globally to develop solutions for today’s challenges and those of tomorrow.