Job opportunity
100%, Basel, fixed-term
We invite applications for a postdoctoral research position focused on the mechanotyping of complex cellular systems, combining cutting-edge nanotechnological tools, advanced cell biology, and systems-level quantitative biology. The project aims to uncover how mechanical properties, forces, and physical phenotypes integrate with molecular networks to regulate the function of complex cellular systems across multiple biological scales.
Cells are mechanically heterogeneous systems composed of proteins, membranes, and compartments with distinct physical properties. In parallel, they continuously sense and respond to diverse mechanical cues from their environment, including adhesion, stiffness, tension, shear, pressure, and confinement. These cues are integrated across wide spatial and temporal scales, from nanometers to tissues, to regulate collective cellular behavior. Mechanobiology seeks to understand how cells, tissues, and organoids perceive, process, and remodel mechanical signals, and how these processes govern fundamental biological functions such as homeostasis, growth, differentiation, migration, development, and apoptosis. Despite major advances, a multiscale understanding of how mechanical information is generated and integrated in complex multicellular systems remains limited. Progress in the field requires the development of engineered multicellular models as mechanical reference systems, new tools to quantitatively measure and manipulate mechanics across scales, and theoretical frameworks to interpret mechanobiological complexity. This postdoctoral project addresses these challenges by combining model systems, advanced mechanical probing, and integrative analysis to elucidate how mechanical properties regulate biological function across molecular, cellular, and multicellular levels, ultimately supporting advances in mechanodiagnostics and mechanomedicine.
You will work at the interface of mechanobiology, nanotechnology, systems biology, and quantitative biology, developing and applying innovative experimental and analytical approaches to characterize cellular mechanical states and their regulatory roles. Research directions include:
The position offers substantial freedom to shape novel experimental pipelines that bridge physical measurements with systems-level biological insight. You will work independently on an interdisciplinary, challenging, and complex project at the highest scientific levels at the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich in Basel, collaborating with internationally leading groups in cell, organoid, and computational biology.
The successful candidate will be based at the ETH Zurich in Basel, a leading institution renowned for its commitment to excellence in research and education.
In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity, and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us—we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.
We look forward to receiving your online application using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
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 an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe while forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.