Doctoral Student in Environmental Bioengineering

About This Role

This doctoral student position is for a project on how bacterial chemotaxis accelerates plasmid transfer, including the spread of antibiotic resistance. The role is funded by an SNSF grant and is a joint effort with the University of Warsaw, based in the laboratory of Prof. Roman Stocker.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and characterize new instrumentation to couple existing chemotaxis assays to controlled shear systems, including mechanical design, 3D printing, control systems, and integration with a fluorescence microscope
• Run chemotaxis and conjugation experiments with bacterial donors and recipients of plasmids and a range of chemoattractants, with the opportunity to learn and use advanced techniques such as flow cytometry and plate-reader-based plasmid transfer quantification
• Image and track fluorescently labeled bacteria and chemical plumes in shear flow, and analyze the data with quantitative image- and data-analysis pipelines
• Test clinically relevant bacteria and freshwater (e.g., lake) bacteria, to assess the potential for chemotaxis-driven spread of resistance in the environment
• Contribute data to mathematical models of plasmid spread

Requirements

• MSc degree in bioengineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, physics, or a related discipline
• Fluency in English (oral and written)
• Enthusiasm for working in an interdisciplinary and international team
• Drive to pursue scientific excellence

Nice to have:

• Practical experience in prototyping and manufacturing, for example CAD, 3D printing, machining (strongly preferred)
• Experience with control systems and instrumentation, for example motor control, sensors, microcontrollers, and automation or data-acquisition code (Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW or similar) (preferred)
• Openness to gain experience in the microbiology laboratory: bacterial cultures, sterile technique, plate readers, and flow cytometry
• Familiarity with microscopy, image analysis, fluid mechanics, or microfluidics (beneficial but not necessary)

Benefits

• Excellent working conditions
• Exciting working environment
• Cultural diversity
• Attractive offers and benefits

Important Details

• Contract: fixed-term
• Application deadline: December 15th, 2026

Application Process

• Submit your online application, including:
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Cover letter (max one page, including brief motivation, research interests, and possible start date)