Postdoc position in the area of Bacteria and Materials interactions

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 Laboratory for Biointerfaces performs material-related research and focuses on understanding, characterizing and steering interactions of biomolecules, bacteria and human cells at surfaces for materials-based healthcare solutions.

The Laboratory for Biointerfaces  offers a

Postdoc position in the area of Bacteria and Materials interactions

The scope of the position is to investigate bacterial mechanosensing and bacteria&materials interactions in general, with the final goal of developing novel antimicrobial materials.The objectives include physicochemical characterization of bacterial mutants and material properties, using microfluidics platform to investigate the bacteria and surface interaction at single-cell level, and identification of the mode of mechanisms used by bacteria for mechanosensing and the effect of the material properties on the sensing. The work should contribute to a fundamental understanding of how bacteria sense a surface and what influences the involved sensing system. The results should be communicated in peer-reviewed well-known scientific journals.

The candidate should have a PhD degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology , or related disciplines with a deep scientific curiosity in bacteria-materials interactions. We are looking for a highly motivated person capable of independent, efficient handling of scientific and industry related projects in an interdisciplinary environment. The candidate is expected to actively bring in his/her scientific expertise and competence and to have excellent communication skills. Experience withat least one of the following methods, biofilm cultivation, microfluidics, image analysis, large data set analysis and single-cell analysis, are highly desired. Vast knowledge in general microbiological techniques, especially usingmicrofluidics for bacterial study,is of advantage. The position (100%) is limited to two years with options for an extension.

We offer a highly stimulating research environment with well-equipped infrastructure as well as an excellent network of scientific and industrial partners. The candidate will work in a multidisciplinary field that combines microbiology, material science, physics and chemistry.