Doctoral Position on viscoelastic hydrogels for 3D mechanobiology and tissue repair

In the first part of the project, the doctoral student will synthesize PEG- and hyaluronic acid-based DCHs cross-linked via dynamic covalent chemistries (boronate ester, hydrazone, imine, and disulfide bonds), spanning a broad range of moduli (0.1–100 kPa) and relaxation times (10–1000 s) to mimic the mechanical properties of native and cancer-associated dermal and cartilaginous tissues. The student will fabricate and characterize these materials using rheology and nano-indentation, guided by molecular design insights from the broader project team. In the second part, the student will apply these tailorable DCH scaffolds to address key mechanobiology questions. These studies will provide mechanistic insight into how matrix viscoelasticity drives key tissue-level biological processes. The doctoral student will work in close collaboration with and be supported by an interdisciplinary team of doctoral students and postdocs working on related topics, including Dr. Céline Labouesse, a Senior Scientist in the lab, and Dr. Philipp Fisch, both experts in cell mechanobiology. In addition to research, the PhD candidate is expected to contribute to lab duties and teaching, including student supervision, lecture support, and practical courses in the lab.

The Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory (Prof. Mark W. Tibbitt) within the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering (D-MAVT) at ETH Zurich in Zurich, Switzerland engineers and applies advanced polymeric materials for a range of biomedical and industrial uses. The lab is composed of a highly interdisciplinary and international team of motivated researchers. D-MAVT is an interdisciplinary department with focus areas in process/chemical, mechanical, and biomedical engineering as well as robotics and controls. ETH Zurich is a global leader in science and engineering and consistently ranks among the top universities in the world.

• We are seeking a curious, motivated, and self-driven individual, who is comfortable working on highly interdisciplinary projects at the interface of polymer chemistry, bioengineering, and cell biology.

• Academic excellence, a professional work attitude, and a proactive and self-driven work ethic are expected.

• The candidate must be able to fluently communicate in English (oral and written) and be willing to work in a highly interactive, international team.

• Applicants must hold a MSc degree in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, molecular health sciences, materials science, chemistry, or related fields.

• A working knowledge of polymer synthesis and hydrogel fabrication is required.

• Practical experience in one or more of the following would be advantageous: 3D cell culture and standard biological assays (cell viability, immunostaining, gene/protein expression); mechanical characterization of soft materials (rheology, compression testing); or live-cell imaging and image analysis.