PhD in Viscoelastic Hydrogels for 3D Mechanobiology

Euraxess; Zürich; Vor Ort; CHF 55.000 - 75.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

ETH Zurich's Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory seeks a doctoral candidate to advance viscoelastic hydrogels for 3D mechanobiology and tissue repair. The project focuses on dynamic covalent hydrogels across a range of moduli and relaxation times, enabling designer ECM mimics for studying cell–matrix interactions.

The position is full-time for four years, starting on or after 01 October 2026, under Prof. Mark Tibbitt with collaboration from colleagues, and is funded by SNF.

Qualifikationen

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

Aufgaben

• Synthesize PEG- and HA-based DCHs cross-linked via dynamic covalent chemistries to match moduli 0.1–100 kPa and relaxation times 10–1000 s.
• Fabricate and characterize materials using rheology and nano-indentation, guided by design insights.
• Apply tailorable DCH scaffolds to address mechanobiology questions and provide mechanistic insights.
• Collaborate with doctoral students and postdocs on related topics and contribute to teaching and supervision.

Kenntnisse

Interdisciplinary collaboration

English fluency

Polymer chemistry

Bioengineering knowledge

Ausbildung

MSc degree in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, molecular health sciences, materials science, chemistry, or related fields

Tools

Polymer synthesis

Hydrogel fabrication

Rheology

3D cell culture

Jobbeschreibung

ETH Zurich's Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory seeks a doctoral candidate to advance viscoelastic hydrogels for 3D mechanobiology and tissue repair. The project focuses on dynamic covalent hydrogels across a range of moduli and relaxation times, enabling designer ECM mimics for studying cell–matrix interactions.

The position is full-time for four years, starting on or after 01 October 2026, under Prof. Mark Tibbitt with collaboration from colleagues, and is funded by SNF.