PhD Student Bioprocess Technology - Upstream

Opportunita; Muttenz; Hybrid; CHF 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual working time 42 hours/week

Part-time option

Teleworking option

Mentoring programme

Access to scientific events

Equal pay policy

Job summary

The FHNW School of Life Sciences invites applications for a PhD Student in Bioprocess Technology – Upstream, based in Muttenz (Basel). You will design, build and automate bioreactor setups and integrate pumps, sensors and peripheral equipment to develop advanced upstream processes.

Collaboration with an industrial partner will shape practical outcomes and publications. You will conduct mammalian cell cultivations, collect and analyze data, and troubleshoot equipment to validate new technologies

Qualifications

• MSc degree in biochemistry, bioprocess engineering, biotechnology, chemical or process engineering or a related field.
• Excellent scientific and technical track record with hands-on lab equipment experience.
• Experience in mammalian cell culture technology and downstream purification is desirable.
• Strong programming skills and ability to work independently on research projects.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and automate bioreactor setups with pumps and sensors.
• Develop and operate cell retention and filtration systems for perfusion and TFF processes.
• Develop device communication, data acquisition and process control.
• Run mammalian cell cultivations and analyze data to validate new technologies.
• Troubleshoot hardware/software issues and propose technical solutions.
• Present results in publications, conferences and to industrial partners.

Skills

Lab automation

Mammalian culture

Data acquisition

Process control

Programming (Python, MATLAB, C/C++)

Education

MSc in Bioprocess Engineering

Tools

Bioreactor equipment

Flow sensors

Peripherals

Data acquisition hardware

Process automation software

Job description

PhD Student Bioprocess Technology - Upstream

Department School of Life Sciences offers state-of-the-art technical

Teaching, research and practice - we connect

As a PhD student in the Bioprocess Technology lab (Muttenz, Basel), working closely with an industrial Partner, you will rethink how antibodies and viral vectors are produced. You will design, build and automate cell culture setups that combine state-of-the-art pump, filtration and sensor technology, and develop new upstream processes that make full use of the latest process innovations. We are looking for a candidate with an excellent technical track record who enjoys hands-on engineering and is driven to turn technical ideas into working bioprocess solutions.

• Design, build and automate bioreactor setups, integrating pumps, flow sensors and peripheral equipment
• Develop and operate cell retention and filtration systems for perfusion and TFF processes
• Develop device communication, data acquisition and process control
• Run mammalian cell cultivations and analyze the data to validate new technologies and control strategies
• Troubleshoot hardware and software issues and propose creative technical solution
• Present your results in scientific publications, at international conferences and to industrial partners

The position starts with an initial one-year contract. If the agreed milestones are met in the first year, the contract will be extended for the rest of the PhD.

Your profile

• MSc degree in biochemistry, bioprocess engineering, biotechnology, chemical or process engineering or a related field
• Excellent scientific and technical track record, with demonstrated experience building or modifying lab equipment and setups
• Experience in mammalian cell culture technology, antibody or viral vector expression and purification
• Hands-on experience with pumps and filtration systems in a bioprocess or process engineering context
• Experience with sensors, data acquisition and/or process automation Solid programming skills (Python, MATLAB, C/C++ or similar)
• A structured, independent and solution-oriented way of working, with a passion for applied research and technical innovation
• Team player who enjoys working in an international, interdisciplinary environment with industrial partners
• Excellent written and spoken English; German is an asset

The FHNW School of Life Sciences offers state-of-the-art technical, laboratory and office facilities. Contributing to the school’s highly motivating working environment – which is second to none – are its collaboration with a large number of companies and institutions in Switzerland and abroad, a widely varied programme of scientific events, and daily contact with young students in research and teaching. The FHNW is also committed to equal opportunities and the compatibility of private and professional life.

• Wide range of university sports
• Cultural programme of lectures, concerts, theatre and films
• Established implementation of equal pay
• Targeted promotion of doctoral projects
• Annual working time (42 hours/week) with the option of part-time and teleworking
• Mentoring programme for career development

Start Date: by agreement, ending on 2027 12 31 .

Application deadline: 31 December 2026.