Senior Computational Microbiologist

CellX Biosolutions AG; Schlieren; On-site; CHF 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock option package

Startup culture

Competitive salary

Job summary

CellX Biosolutions AG, based in Schlieren, seeks a Senior Computational Microbiologist to build and lead an in-house computational microbiology capability. You will model PFAS degradation, design metabolic models, and guide synthetic communities while collaborating closely with wet-lab teams.

The role is 100% onsite, with leadership responsibilities and a fast-moving startup environment. You will supervise a Laboratory Technician and translate computational insights into experiments, ensuring

Qualifications

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Microbial Genomics, or a related field.
• Senior-level experience (typically 5+ years) in microbiology research, combining computational and experimental work.
• Strong programming skills (and/or R) and experience with workflow managers (e.g. Nextflow, Snakemake).
• Hands-on experience applying AI/ML methods to biological or genomic data (e.g. function prediction, genome mining, metabolic modeling).
• Excellent English skills (C1 or higher).

Responsibilities

• Supervise and mentor Laboratory Technician, coordinating wet-lab, cultivation, and sequencing workflows.
• Set priorities and quality standards for sample preparation, sequencing, and data handover between wet lab and bioinformatics.
• Design, build, and maintain an in-house bioinformatics pipeline covering genome assembly, annotation, and comparative genomics.
• Evaluate and integrate tools and methods, including AI/ML approaches, for genome mining and functional annotation.
• Establish a metabolic-level understanding of PFAS degradation and build genome-scale metabolic models.
• Design and run experiments to validate predicted degradation genes and pathways; develop genetic tools for non-model bacteria.
• Design and implement models to predict strain performance and guide synthetic community design.
• Collaborate with R&D and monitor strains in pilot and field deployments; contribute to regulatory documentation.

Skills

Programming skills

AI/ML experience

Supervising/Mentoring

English proficiency

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology/Microbial Genomics

Tools

Nextflow

Snakemake

R

Python

Illumina/Oxford Nanopore/PacBio data processing

Job description

This job posting was published here directly by one of our clients. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs has no control over its content or quality.

Senior Computational Microbiologist

CellX Biosolutions AG Vacant since : 23.10.2026 8952 Schlieren (ZH) 100% By agreement Permanent

Title: Senior Computational Microbiologist - 100%

Start date: 01.01.2027 (flexible)

Work location: Wagistrasse 18, 8952 Schlieren

Work model: 100% onsite

At CellX Biosolutions AG, an innovative ETH spin-off, we develop microbial solutions to degrade persistent environmental pollutants such as PFAS and pesticides. Our mission is to bring the world's first commercial bacterial solution for PFAS remediation from the lab into real-world industrial application.

Role Overview

We are looking for a Senior Computational Microbiologist to build and lead our in-house computational and molecular microbiology capability from the ground up. You will establish a mechanistic and metabolic understanding of how our bacterial strains and communities degrade PFAS and other persistent chemicals. You will translate this understanding into a computational pipeline that predicts strain performance and guides the rational design of synthetic microbial communities for specific use‑cases.

This role bridges computation and experiment. You will work hands‑on with sequencing data (Illumina, Oxford Nanopore & PacBio) as well as other omics and analytical data streams. You will also design the experiments that validate computational predictions in our strains. You will supervise a Laboratory Technician who supports wet‑lab and sequencing workflows. This is a senior, high‑impact, 100% onsite role with the freedom and responsibility to shape CellX's data‑inferred product development as we move from the lab to the field.

Main Responsibilities

• Supervise and mentor our Laboratory Technician involved in the project, coordinating wet‑lab, cultivation, and sequencing workflows (Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, PacBio) to ensure high‑quality data for downstream analysis
• Set priorities and quality standards for sample preparation, sequencing, and data handover between wet lab and bioinformatics

Bioinformatics pipeline development

• Design, build, and maintain an in‑house bioinformatics pipeline covering genome assembly, annotation, and comparative genomics from short‑read and long‑read sequencing data
• Evaluate and integrate the best available tools and methods, including AI/ML approaches, for genome mining, functional annotation, and strain characterization
• Ensure the pipeline is reproducible, scalable, and not limited to current technologies, so it can incorporate new sequencing and omics data types as they become relevant

Metabolic understanding & PFAS degradation

• Establish a metabolic‑level understanding of how our bacterial strains degrade PFAS, identifying the genes, enzymes, and pathways involved
• Build and apply genome‑scale metabolic models to predict degradation capability and metabolic potential across strains

Experimental validation & strain development

• Design and run experiments, including genetic tools and functional assays, to validate predicted degradation genes and pathways
• Develop genetic tools for non‑model environmental bacteria to support strain characterization and improvement

Predictive modeling & synthetic community design

• Design and implement models that predict and learn from strain‑level genomic and functional data to prioritize the most promising strains
• Develop a framework to guide how synthetic microbial communities should be assembled per use case, based on predicted strain function and interaction potential

Collaboration, field & regulatory support

• Work closely with our R&D team to align bioinformatics outputs with experimental and pilot‑project needs
• Monitor applied strains in pilot and field deployments
• Contribute technical documentation for regulatory and biosafety approval of our microbial products
• Contribute bioinformatics analyses and insights to internal reports and, where relevant, client deliverables

Your Profile

Required qualifications

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Microbial Genomics, or a related field
• Senior‑level experience (typically 5+ years) in microbiology research, combining computational and experimental work
• Strong programming skills ( and/or R) and experience with workflow managers (e.g. Nextflow, Snakemake)
• Hands‑on experience applying AI/ML methods to biological or genomic data (e.g. function prediction, genome mining, metabolic modeling)
• Solid understanding of microbial physiology and metabolism, including enzymatic transformation and degradation pathways
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or leading junior team members
• Excellent English skills (C1 or higher)

Preferred qualifications

• Direct experience in the PFAS field, or with biodegradation of other recalcitrant/xenobiotic pollutants
• Experience designing or modeling synthetic microbial communities/consortia
• Familiarity with long‑read sequencing data (Oxford Nanopore, PacBio)
• Experience with regulatory documentation or field trials of applied microorganisms
• experience in a startup or applied biotech environment

A note: research indicates that women and individuals from marginalized groups tend to apply only when they meet all of the criteria. If you believe you're qualified, but don't necessarily check every box, please submit an application.

We offer

• A senior, high‑impact role shaping CellX's computational and molecular microbiology capability from the ground up
• Cutting‑edge scientific environment at the intersection of microbiology, genomics, and environmental biotechnology
• Competitive salary and a stock option package
• Collaborative startup culture with fast decision‑making, a high level of responsibility, and the opportunity to shape the world's first commercial bacterial solution for PFAS remediation

Application Process

We look forward to receiving your application through the form on our website ( ) including all of the following documents:

• Cover Letter
• CV
• Academic diplomas/certificates
• Contact information for 2 professional references

CellX Biosolutions AG
Wagistrasse 18
8952 Schlieren

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• Work location 8952 Schlieren (ZH)
• Workload 100%
• Employment start By agreement
• Employment duration Permanent
• By online Online form