Postdoctoral Researcher in Primary T-Cell Engineering

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 collaborate closely with engineers and biologists to design, clone, and test synthetic circuits in primary human T cells, contributing to the translation of these circuits into functional cellular therapies.

Job Description

Key responsibilities will 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.
• 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 in 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 the technical skills, the candidate is expected to possess the social and leadership competencies necessary for fostering a positive work culture, including acting responsibly, nurturing well-being, driving innovation, promoting inclusivity, building bridges, and enabling others.

Workplace

At ETH Zurich, you will be part of a stimulating, supportive, and international research environment. You will have the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at the confluence of control engineering, synthetic biology, and medicine. You will also enjoy access to state-of-the-art facilities and collaborate with world-class experts.

We Offer

• A job with impact: Joining ETH Zurich means contributing to positive change in society.
• Numerous benefits, including public transport season tickets, car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ, childcare services, and attractive pension plans.
• Commitment to sustainability and climate neutrality in our university practices.

We Value Diversity

ETH Zurich is dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture that promotes equality of opportunity, values diversity, and nurtures an environment where the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to see how we maintain a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and thrive.

Curious? So Are We.

We invite you to apply online using the form below to express your interest in this position. Please include the following documents:

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

Only applications matching the job profile will be considered. Further information about the department can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof. Mustafa Khammash at mustafa.khammash@bsse.ethz.ch (no applications).

About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is globally recognized as one of the leading universities specializing in science and technology. We are renowned for our exceptional education, cutting-edge fundamental research, and our ability to directly transfer new knowledge into society. With over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries, our university promotes independent thinking and inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, we are committed to collaborating worldwide to address the global challenges of today and tomorrow.