PhD Positions in Neurotechnology: Next Generation Non-invasive Neurotechnologies & Brain Therapies

The successful candidate will play a central role in the development and translation of our focused ultrasound-mediated targeted drug delivery platform. Depending on experience and interests, the project may include: Development of next-generation focused ultrasound systems, fMRI-guided treatment planning and targeting, Optimization of targeted drug delivery and therapeutic dosing, Development of closed-loop ultrasound neuromodulation systems, Design of custom hardware and software, Electrophysiology and multimodal neurophysiology, Rodent and large-animal neuroscience experiments, Translation of the technology toward clinical application, Collaboration with clinicians to prepare first-in-human clinical studies, Medical device development and regulatory approval.

The Neurotechnology Group of Prof. Mehmet Fatih Yanik at ETH Zurich is recruiting outstanding PhD students to join a newly funded LOOP Zurich Flagship Project focused on advancing a breakthrough technology to clinic for non-invasive targeted drug delivery to the brain. Our laboratory recently developed a novel focused ultrasound-mediated targeted drug delivery platform, published in Nature Communications, that enables localized, hyper-efficient delivery of therapeutic compounds to specific brain regions without invasive surgery. This is a highly interdisciplinary project at the interface of neuroscience, biomedical engineering, physics, electrical engineering, medical imaging, robotics, and translational medicine. The Neurotechnology Group at ETH Zurich provides one of Europe’s leading research environments for neurotechnology. Our laboratory integrates, under one roof: High-field 7 Tesla MRI, Two-photon and confocal microscopy, State-of-the-art electrophysiology, Brain-machine interfaces, Mechanical and electronic prototyping workshops, Access to advanced microfabrication facilities, Chemical synthesis laboratories, Cell culture facilities, Behavioral neuroscience laboratories, Small- and large-animal research facilities. Students will collaborate closely with scientists and clinicians across ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, and Klinik Lengg.

• Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Neuroscience, Computer Science, Chemistry, or a closely related field

• Excellent academic record

• Strong quantitative and analytical skills

• Experimental laboratory experience (e.g., biomedical engineering, neuroscience, chemistry, optics, electrophysiology, or related fields)

• Programming experience (Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar)

• Interest in developing novel biomedical technologies

• Strong motivation for translational neuroscience and medical innovation

• Experience with mechanical design, machining, prototyping, or building custom experimental setups is highly desirable

• Previous experience with focused ultrasound, fMRI, electrophysiology, medical imaging, robotics, drug delivery, or biomedical instrumentation is advantageous

• Willingness to participate in animal experiments