PostDoctoral Position : Image-Based Drug Screening Against Bacterial Pathogens — EPFL
- Location
- Lausanne
- Contract
- full-time
- Posted
- Yesterday
Role overview
Mission A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Prof.
Alex Persat (EPFL School of Life Sciences, https://www.p-lab.science/ ) to establish a new image-based drug screening platform targeting gram-negative pathogens ( Klebsiella pneumoniae , Acinetobacter baumannii , Pseudomonas aeruginosa ).
The project will combine single-cell/single-bacterium imaging approaches with the lab's tissue-engineered infection models to identify and characterize compounds active against these priority pathogens.
- Mission A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Prof.
- Alex Persat (EPFL School of Life Sciences, https://www.p-lab.science/ ) to establish a new image-based drug screening platform targeting gram-negative pathogens ( Klebsiella pneumoniae , Acinetobacter baumannii , Pseudomonas aeruginosa ).
- Main duties and responsibilities
- Design and build a microscopy-based phenotypic screening pipeline (live imaging, high-content, single-cell resolution) to assay compound activity
Main responsibilities
- Main duties and responsibilities
- Design and build a microscopy-based phenotypic screening pipeline (live imaging, high-content, single-cell resolution) to assay compound activity
- Develop imaging assays capable of distinguishing mechanism of action (e.g. growth inhibition, biofilm/attachment disruption, membrane integrity)
- Develop or adapt image analysis and quantification pipelines with AI support to handle screen-scale data
- Follow up on screening hits to identify their molecular target or mechanism of action (e.g. via genetic, chemical-biology, or biophysical approaches), with support from other lab members' expertise in microbiology and drug discovery
- Collaborate with the lab's discovery and design efforts (natural products, AI-enabled molecular design) to feed prioritized targets and hits back into upstream design
Application process
- the pipeline to screens in both standard culture and, in collaboration with other lab members, the group's organoid/tissue-engineered infection models (airway, gut) to prioritize physiologically relevant hits
- Co-supervise PhD students and contribute to method development, data management, and grant reporting Profile
- PhD in microbiology, biophysics, bioengineering, or a related field (completed or near completion) with at least a first author publication.
- Hands-on experience with quantitative microscopy (live-cell imaging, high-content screening, or single-cell/single-bacterium imaging)
- Comfort with image analysis pipelines and scripting (Python), experience integrating ML-based image analysis is a plus but not required
- Interest in working across the interface of imaging, microbiology, and drug discovery We offer
- The opportunity to build a new screening platform from the ground up, with significant ownership over pipeline design
- Access to the lab's existing imaging/biophysics infrastructure and tissue-engineered infection model systems
Contacts
- For informal inquiries, contact: [email protected]
Additional details
- details for 3 referees Additional information Contract start date: negotiable A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Prof.
- Apply the pipeline to screens in both standard culture and, in collaboration with other lab members, the group's organoid/tissue-engineered infection models (airway, gut) to prioritize physiologically relevant hits
- Co-supervise PhD students and contribute to method development, data management, and grant reporting
- Interest in working across the interface of imaging, microbiology, and drug discovery
- Support for independent fellowship applications (EMBO, HFSP, MSCA) where relevant Applicants should submit
- A cover letter (PDF, up to 2 pages) describing research interests, achievements and fit A CV with publication list Contact details for 3 referees Additional information Contract start date: negotiable
- Activity Rate : 100.00 Duration: 1 year, renewable
Notes and original content
- A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Prof.
- Support for independent fellowship applications (EMBO, HFSP, MSCA) where relevant
- Informations
- Applicants should submit
- A cover letter (PDF, up to 2 pages) describing research interests, achievements and fit
- A CV with publication list
- Contact details for 3 referees
- Additional information
- Contract start date: negotiable
- Activity Rate : 100.00
Questions about this listing
What salary does EPFL offer for this role?
EPFL lists CHF 60'500 - 91'500 gross per year for this position in Lausanne. 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 EPFL 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 EPFL 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 Vaud?
EU/EFTA residents living in the border zone of the country adjoining Canton Vaud 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 Vaud's cantonal migration office or with HR during the application.
How do I apply for this position at EPFL?
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