open Position: Postdoc on sustainable protein materials

Empa is the research institute for materials science and technology of the ETH Domain and conducts cutting-edge research for the benefit of industry and the well-being of society.

The Empa Laboratory of Cellulose & Wood Materials invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship position on extraction and engineering of sustainable proteins from fungi. Together with our team of experienced scientists, postdocs and PhD students, you will contribute to the development of the next generation of sustainable biocomposite materials. This project bridges our activities in the fields of nanocellulose and applied fungal biotechnology. The goal of the project is to optimize and control the extraction of proteins from fungi and to understand the protein conformation and functionality for tailored biomaterial properties. We envision that the generated knowledge may be useful for materials with bioplastics, air/water filtration and biomedical applications.

open Position: Postdoc on sustainable protein materials

Your responsibilities

• Extract and characterize proteins from different fungal strains.
• Develop protocols for expressing engineered forms of fungal strains for material science applications.
• Investigate the physical, structural and functional properties of the extracted proteins including their potential to form ordered aggregates.
• Characterize proteins and self-assembled materials using state-of-the art techniques.
• Publish in peer-reviewed high-impact factor journals and present at international conferences.

Your profile

• PhD degree in biochemistry, biotechnology, applied microbiology or related disciplines.
• Proven track record of publication in high-impact factor journals and good communication skills.
• Demonstrated aptitude for scientific creativity and non-conventional thinking.
• Experience in fungal cultivation, biopolymer expression and proteins is required.
• Fluent in written and oral English.
• Self-motivated, critical-thinking, open-minded and communicative, with an interest to work in an interdisciplinary research environment.

The position

We are an international team dedicated to advance the development of a new generation of active, sustainable and highly functional biomaterials using cellulose and wood as material resources. We offer a position (two years with the possibility of an extension) within a large interdisciplinary project in the ETH Domain and in a research institution with outstanding infrastructure. The workplace is St.Gallen and the starting date is January 2023 or upon mutual agreement.

Empa supports equal opportunities such as the compatibility of work and other life areas and lives a culture of inclusion and respect. We are committed to increase the diversity of our team and encourage qualified people from all backgrounds and genders to apply for this position.