Postdoctoral Researcher / Postdoctoral Researcheress

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

100%, Basel, fixed-term

At ETH Zurich, we are at the forefront of developing technologies that leverage whole cell and enzyme catalysts for the manufacturing of substances in fields such as sustainable chemistry, innovative food, and active pharmaceutical ingredients.

We are excited to offer a PostDoc position for a third-party funded project in the innovative sector of non-agricultural food, which focuses on the microbial manufacturing of proteins from reactive gases.

Project Background

This project is part of the EC-sponsored consortium HydroCow, involving partners from the UK, Germany, and Finland, specializing in metabolic flux modeling, molecular engineering, manufacturing, and marketing.

HydroCow builds on a previously developed ultra-high-throughput screening platform that enables the rapid identification of improved industrial production strains. The core of this platform utilizes microcolonies grown in gel capsules, subjected to fluorescence-based analysis for quantifying the product of interest. This innovative technology will be employed for the first time to analyze recombinantly synthesized proteins.

Job Description

The postdoctoral fellow will undertake the following tasks:

• Development of high-throughput assays typically utilizing fluorescence mediated by biosensors or (bio)chemicals
• Characterization of assay performance using 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

• PhD in molecular biology, microbiology, or industrial biotechnology
• Strong communication skills in English and ability to work collaboratively
• Preferred additional qualifications include:
• A solid background in chemistry and spectrometric analyses
• Experience in developing protocols from scratch, rather than implementing commercial kits
• Proficiency in working under atmosphere control (e.g., glove boxes)

Workplace

This position will be situated in a dynamic environment that fosters innovation and collaborative research.

We Offer

We provide an intellectually stimulating position within an inspiring interdisciplinary team, including:

• Engaging and varied work within a larger international consortium involving academia and industry
• The opportunity to develop technologies and protocols with real commercial applications
• Professional development in skills such as writing, presentation, and project management
• Mentoring and supervising students
• Participation in international conferences and project workshops

We Value Diversity and Sustainability

ETH Zurich is committed to fostering an inclusive culture. We promote equal opportunities, value diversity, and maintain a working and learning environment that respects the rights and dignity of all our staff and students. To learn more about our approach to equality and diversity, please visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website. Sustainability is a core value for us, and we continuously strive towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We!

Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

For further information about BPL and D-BSSE, please visit our website. Queries regarding the position should be directed via email to Martin.Held@bsse.ethz.ch (no applications).

About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specializing in science and technology. We are renowned for our exceptional education, cutting-edge research, and effective transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that nurtures independent thinking and inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, we forge connections worldwide to develop solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s global challenges.