Postdoctoral Researcher in AAV Capsid Engineering with Generative AI / Postdoctoral Researcheress in AAV Capsid Engineering with Generative AI

Postdoc: AAV Capsid Engineering with Generative AI

100%, Basel, fixed-term

The highly competitive Bio-Engineering Systems for Therapeutics (BEST) postdoc program, part of the Next-gen Bioengineers initiative, is jointly run by ETH Zurich and Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED). This program focuses on developing new tools and methods to address challenges in medicine and therapeutic development.

Project Background

Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are the leading platform for gene therapy; however, their clinical potential is often limited by sub-optimal tissue tropism, pre-existing human immunity, and low manufacturing yields. This project aims to leverage state-of-the-art generative models in protein design to improve AAV manufacturing properties.

Job Description

• Generative Modeling: Develop and implement advanced computational workflows to design novel AAV capsids.
• Dry-to-Wet Integration: Lead the computational design process and actively participate in wet lab validation of your designs (e.g., library construction, viral production, NGS-based screening).
• Structural Analysis: Utilize computational structural biology tools to ensure designs maintain assembly competence and structural integrity.
• Data Integration: Process and analyze high-throughput experimental data to iteratively refine generative models.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively at both Roche pRED and ETH Zurich D-BSSE (both located in Basel) to translate AI-driven designs into improved AAV vectors.

Profile

• PhD degree or equivalent in computational biology, bioinformatics, bio-ML, or a related quantitative field (required).
• Hybrid mindset: A keen interest in applying computational biology to solve translational challenges; AAV experience is a plus but not necessary.
• Generative AI: Hands-on experience with modern generative models for proteins (required).
• Interdisciplinary drive: High motivation to work at the intersection of wet and dry lab work, with a willingness to be trained in experimental validation techniques.
• Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, with the ability to bridge the gap between ML concepts and experimental molecular biology.

Workplace

Join us in a vibrant, collaborative environment at the forefront of scientific research and innovation.

We Offer

• End-to-End Research Ownership: A unique opportunity to manage the entire process from in silico design to experimental validation.
• Innovation: An exciting and highly collaborative research environment that fuses academia (ETH) with industry (Roche).
• Mentorship: Dual supervision by ETH Zurich and Roche principal investigators.
• Infrastructure: Full access to world-class facilities at both Roche and ETH Zurich campuses in Basel.
• Development: A fully funded 2-year fellowship including dedicated support for networking and career advancement.

We Value Diversity and Sustainability

Guided by our core values, ETH Zurich promotes an inclusive culture. We are dedicated to equality of opportunity, valuing diversity, and fostering a working and learning environment that respects the rights and dignity of all our staff and students. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to learn how we cultivate a fair environment for growth. Sustainability is also a fundamental value for us, as we continually strive towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We.

We invite you to apply online using the form below. Please ensure your application documents are compiled into a single PDF and include the following:

• A letter of motivation (max 1 page).
• CV (max 2 pages).
• Full list of publications.
• 3 letters of recommendation.
• Brief statement of research interests (max 1 page).
• Copy of your original doctoral degree certificate (if already obtained).

Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

Questions should be directed to both Prof. Dr. Basile Wicky basile.wicky@bsse.ethz.ch and Dr. Denis Phichith denis.phichith@roche.com.

For more information about the Next-gen Bioengineers postdoctoral program, please visit the Next-gen Bioengineers website.

About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specializing in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research, and the direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries consider our university a place that promotes independent thinking and fosters an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe and forging connections worldwide, we collaborate to develop solutions for today's and tomorrow's global challenges.