Research assistant for production technology of gut microbial biotherapeutics in the Laboratory of Food Biotechnology

In der aktuellen Covid-19 Situation laufen die Rekrutierungen weiter. Es kann dabei allerdings zu Verzögerungen kommen. Vielen Dank für Ihr Verständnis.

80%-100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Food Biotechnology laboratory at the Department of Health Science and Technology at ETH Zürich is currently looking for motivated technical research assistants to support different projects on novel technologies to produce live microbial biotherapeutics (LBP).

Project background

We are specialized in gut microbiota research and functional microbes for food and health applications. A particular area of development is the design and application of novel fermentation and downstream process technologies of strict anaerobic bacteria, including the development of high cell density continuous cultivation strategies of single strains, consortia and complex artificial gut microbiota in bioreactors.

Job description

You will join a highly motivated, multidisciplinary team that aims to translate the knowledge of gut microbiota cultivation into a technology for standardized production of LBP. Within the frame of these projects, your responsibilities will comprise of:

• Designing and testing novel cGMP media formulations for gut microbe cultivation
• Screening of nutritional components in anaerobic fecal batch incubations
• Operation of continuous fermenters for gut microbes and artificial microbiota cultivation
• Optimization of production process parameters, including fermentation and downstream processing
• Implementation of microbiological analytical methods and methodology development

The 100% position (part-time possible) is for one year, with possibility to extend for an additional year starting early 2022 and offers an excellent opportunity to gain additional experience in anaerobic gut microbiology, fermentation technology, bacterial physiology, molecular and microbial metabolite analysis in context of important and fast-pacing gut microbiota translational research.

Your profile

You have a Master of Science or equivalent diploma in biotechnology, food science, bioscience, engineering biology, microbiology, or related life sciences.You have experience in microbiology, preferably in anaerobic cultivation and fermentation technology. You show strong self-motivation to conduct scientific research in a collaborative multidisciplinary team, have a can-do attitude and good written and oral communication skills in English.

ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.

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