PostDoc to work on Electrospinning and Welding/Compositing Technologies for Tissue Engineering (80 - 100%)

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

In our

research group

, we strive to transfer membrane and encapsulation strategies from academia to industry. Scalable, solution-based processes like electrospinning, spraying and microfluidic wet spinning are used to obtain membranes, fibers and particles for different applications, including in the medical sector. This project is part of a Eurostars collaboration involving two EU industry partners and combines complex processing strategies for tissue scaffolds. The final cell viability and composite integrity will be predetermined by spinning formulations and parameters, processing technologies, but also tailoring the mechanical deformation response.

Your tasks

The PostDoc produces electrospun membranes as prospective tissue scaffolds on a continuous needleless pilot-scale and subsequently mounts them onto flexible implantable vehicles. The aim is to provide a versatile, scalable roll-to-roll high-throughput production procedure tailored to the desired applications. Subsequently, preliminary biocompatibility and comprehensive mechanical analyses will be conducted under physiological and biomimetic conditions to optimise the composites and processes, as well as ensure biomedical compliance.

Your profile

We are looking for a person who posseses a PhD degree and experience in one or more of the following topics: Electrospinning, Biotechnology, Engineering, Materials/Polymer Science and Technology, Polymer Processing. The candidate must be highly motivated, independent and capable of working in a multidisciplinary environment as well as driven by scientific curiosity, interested in upscaling and quick in understanding unfamiliar technologies. Proficiency in English is required (CEFR C1 and higher); German language proficiency is a plus. The candidate should be confident in preparing project reports and presentations, organizing meetings with international industrial partners and collaborators as well as writing drafts for patent applications or scientific publications.

Our offer

We offer an interesting and challenging position in a driven, interdisciplinary research environment. The work will be carried out at Empa St. Gallen under supervision by Dr. Gordon Herwig, Dr. Kongchang Wei and Prof. René Rossi. The position is temporary for two years, with a prospective start date in November 2024.

We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts.

SarahStüdli, Bereichspersonalleiterin / HR Partner