Postdoctoral Researcher / Postdoctoral Researcher

Postdoctoral Researcher in Primary T-Cell Engineering

100%, Basel, fixed-term

The Khammash Lab at ETH Zurich is seeking a motivated and skilled postdoctoral researcher to join our interdisciplinary team working at the interface of synthetic biology, control engineering, and immunoengineering. This position is part of our newly funded ERC Advanced Grant, which aims to develop genetically engineered feedback control circuits in human T cells to tackle challenging diseases. The successful candidate will work closely with a team of engineers and biologists to design, clone, and test synthetic circuits in primary human T cells and help translate these circuits into functional cellular therapies.

Job Description

Job responsibilities include:

• Engineering, transducing, and characterizing primary T cells with synthetic genetic circuits.
• Optimizing and executing protocols for retroviral or lentiviral transduction, cell culture, and immune functional assays.
• Supporting the development of in vivo models, such as adoptive T-cell transfer in mice, for preclinical testing of engineered circuits where relevant.
• Collaborating closely with molecular biologists, computational modelers, and clinical and preclinical research partners.
• Documenting results clearly and contributing to publications and presentations.
• Providing technical support and troubleshooting in T cell culture, molecular cloning, and viral production workflows.

Profile

• PhD in bioengineering or a related area.
• Strong practical background in primary T-cell isolation, culture, transduction (retroviral/lentiviral), and flow cytometry.
• Hands-on experience with viral vector production (e.g., lentivirus, retrovirus) and/or non-viral gene delivery tools such as PiggyBac or Sleeping Beauty is highly desirable.
• Experience with murine models, especially adoptive cell therapy, is a strong asset but not mandatory.
• Experience with engineering allogeneic T cell products is a strong plus.
• Excellent laboratory and organizational skills; ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Good communication skills in English.

In addition to technical skills, the candidate is expected to exhibit social and leadership competencies needed for a positive work culture, including acting responsibly, nurturing well-being, driving innovation, fostering inclusivity, building bridges, and enabling people.

Workplace

The working environment is stimulating, supportive, and international, providing the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at the interface of control engineering, synthetic biology, and medicine. You'll have access to state-of-the-art facilities and world-class collaborators. Join ETH Zurich to make a meaningful impact and contribute actively to positive change in society. We are committed to fostering a sustainable and climate-neutral university, with benefits such as public transport season tickets, car sharing, and a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ, alongside childcare and attractive pension benefits.

We Value Diversity

In alignment with our core values, ETH Zurich champions an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity, and nurture a working and learning environment where the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to discover how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.

Curious? So Are We.

We look forward to receiving your online application using the form below, which should include:

• CV including publication record
• Brief statement of motivation
• Names and contact information for 3 references

Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

About ETH Zurich

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 direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.