PhD position in machine perfusion platform engineering for organ and tissue culture

This doctoral project focuses on engineering advanced machine perfusion platforms to maintain and regenerate organs and tissues outside the body. The successful candidate will work within the Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory at ETH Zurich, collaborating with engineers, biologists, and clinicians to develop hardware, control software, and sensor systems for normothermic perfusion. The role involves operating existing perfusion platforms, improving real-time monitoring capabilities, and prototyping novel devices for new biological applications. The position is part of the interdisciplinary Liver4Life project, leveraging collaborations with University Hospital Zurich and the Wyss Zurich Translational Center. The doctoral student will contribute to both research and teaching duties, including student supervision and lab practicals.

• Design, assemble, and operate normothermic machine perfusion platforms for human and rat liver systems
• Develop and integrate control software and sensor systems for real-time monitoring of physiological parameters (pH, oxygen, glucose, lactate, pressure, flow)
• Conceive, prototype, and test next-generation perfusion-based platforms for novel biological applications
• Collaborate with clinical and biological partners to support ongoing perfusion experiments and clinical translation
• Contribute to lab duties including student supervision, lecture support, and practical courses in the lab
• Document and publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences
• Maintain and troubleshoot perfusion hardware and software systems
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and project planning sessions