Postdoctoral and PhD Positions in Neurotechnology: Drug Carrier Formulation
Join a flagship project at ETH Zurich developing non-invasive, ultrasound-mediated drug delivery platforms for the brain.
Best for:Best for researchers in chemical engineering, chemistry, or biomedical engineering with experience in drug formulation and nanoparticle synthesis.
Overview
The Neurotechnology Group at ETH Zurich is seeking motivated postdoctoral researchers and PhD students to join a high-impact project focused on clinical translation of focused ultrasound-mediated drug delivery. The work involves designing and engineering ultrasound-responsive drug carriers, such as nanoparticles and microbubbles, to enable precise, non-invasive therapeutic delivery to specific brain regions. Successful candidates will work in an interdisciplinary environment, collaborating with clinicians and engineers to optimize carrier stability, drug loading, and release kinetics. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to the development of novel neurotherapeutics for conditions like epilepsy, brain tumors, and neurodegenerative diseases.
What you'll do
- Design and synthesize ultrasound-responsive drug carrier formulations including liposomes, nanodroplets, and microbubbles.
- Optimize drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, and release kinetics for therapeutic compounds.
- Perform physicochemical characterization of carriers using techniques such as DLS, HPLC, and electron microscopy.
- Develop and refine chemical engineering processes for carrier production, such as microfluidics and sonication.
- Evaluate carrier stability and therapeutic efficacy through in vitro and in vivo experimental models.
- Collaborate with clinical partners to prepare for first-in-human clinical studies and regulatory compliance.
- Integrate carrier formulations with focused ultrasound delivery systems and adaptive control algorithms.
Requirements
Degree required: Bachelor's/Master's for PhD applicants; PhD for postdoctoral applicants in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related fields.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English proficiency is required.
Instruction: English
Publications: For postdoctoral applicants, a track record of peer-reviewed publications in drug delivery, nanomedicine, or pharmaceutical sciences is expected.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills including programming in Python or MATLAB.
- Experimental laboratory experience in drug formulation or nanoparticle synthesis.
- Hands-on experience with characterization techniques like HPLC, DLS, or zeta potential analysis.
- Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team.
- Excellent communication skills in English.
- Candidates must be willing to participate in animal experiments.
- PhD applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred).
Funding & terms
How to apply
Submit a single PDF via the online application portal containing a cover letter, CV, transcripts, degree certificates, publications, and contact details for two referees. Please specify whether you are applying for the PhD or postdoctoral position.
- Cover letter
- CV
- Bachelor's and Master's transcripts
- PhD certificate
- Degree certificates
- Publications
- Contact details of two academic referees
Contact
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