Doctoral Student in Environmental Bioengineering

Design, build and characterize new instrumentation to couple existing chemotaxis assays to controlled shear systems. This includes mechanical design, 3D printing, control systems and integration with a fluorescence microscope.

Run chemotaxis and conjugation experiments with bacterial donors and recipients of plasmids and a range of chemoattractants, with the opportunity to learn and use advanced techniques such as flow cytometry and plate-reader-based plasmid transfer quantification.

Image and track fluorescently labeled bacteria and chemical plumes in shear flow, and analyze the data with quantitative image- and data-analysis pipelines.

Test clinically relevant bacteria and freshwater (e.g. lake) bacteria, to assess the potential for chemotaxis-driven spread of resistance in the environment.

Contribute data to mathematical models of plasmid spread.

The Environmental Microfluidics Group of Prof. Roman Stocker in the Institute of Environmental Engineering is seeking a dynamic and motivated doctoral student with an engineering background for a project on how bacterial chemotaxis accelerates plasmid transfer, including the spread of antibiotic resistance. The position is funded by a recently awarded SNSF grant, and the project is a joint effort with Prof. Jonasz Slomka at the University of Warsaw. This position will be based in the laboratory of Prof. Roman Stocker.

The project will test the hypothesis that the accumulation of chemotactic bacteria at microscale chemical hotspots enhances plasmid spreading in the environment. It seeks to study when, where and how strongly this enhancement operates across different chemical hotspots, fluid flows and bacterial strains, and what it means for the spread of antibiotic resistance among aquatic bacteria.

This is a primarily experimental PhD at the interface of engineering and microbiology.

You will be guided by Prof. Roman Stocker and by members of his lab with extensive experience in microbiology, experimental techniques and environmental processes. You will have the opportunity to work in a cutting-edge, fast-paced research environment, interact with researchers from many different disciplines (engineers, physicists, microbiologists, oceanographers, chemists, mathematicians), gain technical experience across diverse research approaches and interact with world-class collaborators.

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.

• A hands-on, skilled and curious engineer who loves to build new tools and is interested in using them to answer fundamental scientific questions.

• Ideal candidates hold an MSc degree in bioengineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, physics or a related discipline.

• Practical experience in prototyping and manufacturing, for example CAD, 3D printing, machining (strongly preferred).

• Experience with control systems and instrumentation, for example motor control, sensors, microcontrollers, and automation or data-acquisition code (Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW or similar) (preferred).

• Openness to gain experience in the microbiology laboratory: bacterial cultures, sterile technique, plate readers and flow cytometry.

• Familiarity with microscopy, image analysis, fluid mechanics or microfluidics (beneficial but not necessary).

• Fluency in English (oral and written), enthusiasm for working in an interdisciplinary and international team, and the drive to pursue scientific excellence (required).