PhD Position in Nanomedicine: Quantitative Design of Multi-Cargo Nanoparticles for Cancer Gene Delivery — Empa
- Location
- St. Gallen
- Contract
- full-time
- Posted
- Yesterday
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.
- Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Biophysics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field.
- Quantitative mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Key requirements
- Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Biophysics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field.
- Quantitative mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong interest in soft matter, self-assembly, nanomedicine, nanoparticles, or drug and gene delivery systems.
- Hands-on laboratory experience in nanoparticle formulation, physicochemical characterization, molecular or cellular biology, or a closely related experimental field is highly desirable.
- Experience with relevant molecular and cellular biology techniques, such as nucleic acid handling, cell culture, transfection, microscopy, or flow cytometry, is advantageous.
- Experience with advanced characterization techniques, such as scattering, spectroscopy, or related methods, is also advantageous.
- Programming and data analysis skills in Python, MATLAB, R, or similar are advantageous. Proficiency in English;
- German is a plus.
- Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research and collaboration. Our offer
- We provide an international and stimulating research environment with excellent infrastructure for personal and professional development.
- You will be employed full-time (three years, with the possibility of extension for one additional year) at Empa St.
- Gallen in two research groups (Bio–Nano Assembly and Cell-/Tissue Materials Interactions), which are part of the Laboratory for Biointerfaces and Center for X-ray Analytics.
Application process
- At Empa's Laboratory for Biointerfaces and Center for X-ray Analytics , we develop and characterize advanced nanosystems for biomedical applications.
- Combining expertise in nanomaterials, colloid and analytical science, cellular biology and bioengineering, we investigate how nanoparticle structure and composition influence biological function.
- A particular focus lies on nucleic-acid delivery for next-generation therapeutics.
- This PhD project aims to develop lipid-based nanoparticles for the controlled co-delivery of multiple genetic cargos to cancer cells, enabling new approaches for cancer treatment.
- 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.
Company and context
- A central challenge is to understand and control how different nucleic acids are co-encapsulated within a single nanoparticle and how their organization affects delivery performance in relevant in vitro 3D tissue models.
- The project combines nanoparticle formulation, colloidal self-assembly principles and advanced physicochemical characterization with cellular and molecular biology to establish quantitative structure–function relationships in relevant in vitro models, including 3D tissues. Your tasks As a PhD candidate, you will:
- Combine colloidal self-assembly and nanomedicine concepts to design and formulate lipid-based nanoparticles for the controlled co-encapsulation and delivery of multiple nucleic acid cargos.
- Quantitatively characterize nanoparticle structure, cargo co-encapsulation, stability, and self-assembly using techniques such as fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering.
- Perform cell-based studies to investigate nanoparticle uptake, transfection, and biological performance in 2D cell culture and relevant in vitro 3D tissue models.
- Integrate physicochemical and biological data to identify design principles governing delivery efficiency.
- Collaborate closely with researchers from the Laboratory for Biointerfaces and the Center for X-ray Analytics.
- Present your work at international conferences and contribute to high-impact scientific publications.
Additional details
- The project combines nanoparticle formulation, colloidal self-assembly principles and advanced physicochemical characterization with cellular and molecular biology to establish quantitative structure–function relationships in relevant in vitro models, including 3D tissues. As a PhD candidate, you will:
- Programming and data analysis skills in Python, MATLAB, R, or similar are advantageous. Proficiency in English;
- Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
Notes and original content
- The project combines nanoparticle formulation, colloidal self-assembly principles and advanced physicochemical characterization with cellular and molecular biology to establish quantitative structure–function relationships in relevant in vitro models, including 3D tissues.
- Your tasks
- As a PhD candidate, you will:
- Your profile
- Programming and data analysis skills in Python, MATLAB, R, or similar are advantageous.
- Proficiency in English;
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.
