100%, Zurich, fixed-term
Dr. Daniel A. Richards and Professor Andrew J. deMello from the Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering at ETH Zürich (ETHZ), alongside Dr. Loïc Burr of the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM), are seeking a PhD student to develop CRISPR-Cas-based electrochemical biosensors for multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-MTB). This work is funded as part of an SNSF BRIDGE Discovery grant, and you would be collaborating within a multi-institutional consortium that includes ETHZ, CSEM, the Swiss Tropical Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), and the National Centre for Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (NCTLD) in Tblisi, Georgia. The position is ideally suited for someone with experience in CRISPR-Cas and/or electrochemical biosensing, but candidates with a background in biosensing or analytical chemistry will also be considered. This is a four-year position, with time allocated at both ETHZ and CSEM.
Tuberculosis (TB) kills an estimated 1.25 million people each year, making it the deadliest infectious disease globally. Unfortunately, TB disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with 98% of global TB cases occurring within these regions, leading to devastating consequences. The rise of this disease has led to widespread misuse of antibiotics, resulting in significant drug resistance. In severely affected areas, drug resistance among recurrent TB infections has surpassed 50%.
Most TB deaths are preventable if diagnosed early, yet nearly a quarter of all TB cases remain undiagnosed. Furthermore, the increase in drug resistance can be partly attributed to a lack of effective methods for identifying resistance markers, which in turn results in poor antibiotic stewardship. Current diagnostic technologies have proven insufficient for diagnosing TB and related drug resistances, particularly at the point-of-care (PoC). Few technologies can quickly and accurately diagnose TB while simultaneously determining resistances, and those that can are often large and costly, limiting their use in LMICs. Additionally, these technologies typically rely on sputum samples, which can be challenging to obtain in low-resource settings.
In this PhD project, we aim to develop RPA-CRISPR-Cas assays capable of multiplexing 14 targets for TB and associated drug resistance markers from a single sample. These assays will incorporate novel electrochemical reporters to facilitate miniaturization and provide quantitative disease readouts. To enable deployment at the PoC, we will leverage the facilities and expertise of CSEM to integrate these technologies into a highly affordable cartridge and reader system. The research team will be supported by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute and the National Center for Tuberculosis and Lung Disease in Georgia, who will validate the technology in patient samples and conduct a small pilot study. This presents an exciting opportunity for the student to travel and engage in fieldwork.
These innovative assays will address a critical gap in the current TB treatment pathway, bringing care to millions of underserved patients, particularly in LMICs. By enabling rapid TB diagnosis, this technology will support more accurate and timely medical interventions, ultimately improving patient outcomes and alleviating burdens on healthcare systems. Additionally, by focusing on prevalent drug resistance markers, this technology will enhance antimicrobial stewardship and serve as a vital tool in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
We invite applications from scientists eager to gain expertise in bioengineering, in vitro diagnostics, and global health. Candidates should have obtained a Master's degree in a relevant science or engineering discipline. However, assessment will focus on overall experience, expertise, and ambitions rather than solely on research discipline(s). Successful candidates will be part of an international research team and are expected to be highly motivated and passionate about science, engineering, and global health.
You bring to the role:
ETH Zurich is one of the world's leading universities specializing in science and technology, renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research, and effective transfer of new knowledge into society. We are situated in the heart of Europe, yet our connections extend globally, contributing to solutions for today's and tomorrow's challenges.
In line with our values, ETH Zurich promotes an inclusive culture. We strive for equality of opportunity, celebrating diversity, and nurturing an environment where the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Sustainability is central to our mission; we are continually working towards a climate-neutral future.
We look forward to receiving your online application using the form below. Please include the following documents:
Only applications matching the job profile will be considered. For any questions regarding the position, please reach out to Dr. Daniel Richards (daniel.richards@chem.ethz.ch) or Dr. Loïc Burr (loic.burr@csem.ch).
ETH Zurich stands at the forefront of global education and research in science and technology. With over 30,000 individuals from over 120 countries, we foster an environment that encourages independent thinking and inspires excellence.
Location : Zürich
Country : Switzerland