PhD Position in Bacteria & Materials Interactions — Empa
- Location
- St. Gallen
- Contract
- full-time
- Posted
- Today
Role overview
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.
- 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.
- We are looking for a highly motivated and curious candidate with:
- A Master's degree in Biomaterials, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, or a related field
Key requirements
- We are looking for a highly motivated and curious candidate with:
- A Master's degree in Biomaterials, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, or a related field
- Strong interest in antimicrobial resistance, biomaterials, microbiology, or phage therapy
- Experience in one or more of the following areas: Microbiology and bacterial culture / Biofilm research / Biomaterials and hydrogels / Molecular biology or synthetic biology / Bacteriophages
- Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to an interdisciplinary team Previous experience with phages, hydrogels, wound healing models, or antimicrobial testing is advantageous. Our offer A highly international and multidisciplinary research environment
- Access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure
- Scientific training spanning microbiology, biomaterials engineering, phage biology, and translational biomedical research
- Close collaboration with leading bacteriophage experts at ETH Zurich and opportunities to work across disciplines
- A stimulating work environment within one of Switzerland's leading research institutions
- Attractive employment conditions according to Empa regulations The position is available from November 2026 or after negotiation with a duration of four years.
- We live a culture of inclusion and respect.
Application process
- We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons.
- Please submit these exclusively via our job portal.
Contacts
- Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.
Additional details
- With a strong translational focus, the project seeks to advance these living therapeutic systems toward clinically relevant solutions for wound infections and antimicrobial resistance.
- You will contribute to the development of injectable, self-healing biomaterial-based hydrogels for the local delivery of probiotics and bacteriophages to wound sites. Your work will involve:
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to an interdisciplinary team Previous experience with phages, hydrogels, wound healing models, or antimicrobial testing is advantageous. A highly international and multidisciplinary research environment
Notes and original content
- Your tasks
- You will contribute to the development of injectable, self-healing biomaterial-based hydrogels for the local delivery of probiotics and bacteriophages to wound sites.
- Your work will involve:
- Your profile
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to an interdisciplinary team Previous experience with phages, hydrogels, wound healing models, or antimicrobial testing is advantageous.
- A highly international and multidisciplinary research environment
Questions about this listing
What salary does Empa offer for this role?
Empa lists CHF 57'500 - 87'000 gross per year for this position in St. Gallen. This is the salary published in the original listing (or, when the employer omits a figure, a realistic estimate for the role and sector) — the calculator on this site converts it to your actual net take-home once cross-border tax and social contributions are applied.
Is this a full-time role, and what type of contract does Empa offer?
This listing is a full-time position. The contract type shown here comes directly from the employer's original posting; always confirm exact hours, notice period and probation length with Empa during the application process, since these details can vary by role even within the same contract category.
Do I need a cross-border work permit for a role in St. Gallen?
EU/EFTA residents living in the border zone of the country adjoining Canton St. Gallen can apply for a G permit; the Swiss employer files it with that canton's migration office after the contract is signed. Border-zone rules and processing times vary by neighbouring country and canton, so confirm the specifics with St. Gallen's cantonal migration office or with HR during the application.
How do I apply for this position at Empa?
Use the "Apply now" button on this page — it links directly to Empa's original listing at apply.refline.ch, so your application goes straight to the employer's own applicant-tracking system. Frontaliere Ticino does not collect or forward applications itself.
