The Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory within the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering (D-MAVT) at ETH Zurich engineers and applies advanced polymeric materials for biomedical and industrial uses. The group focuses on the rational design of dynamic polymer networks, (bio)material processing, organ perfusion and regeneration, tools to study mechanobiology and cell–matrix interactions, and engineered drug delivery systems. This project aims to develop a library of dynamic covalent hydrogels (DCHs) as designer extracellular matrix mimics and apply them to uncover the mechanistic role of matrix viscoelasticity in biological contexts such as articular cartilage maturation and cancer cell migration.
Tasks
- Synthesize PEG- and hyaluronic acid-based dynamic covalent hydrogels cross-linked via boronate ester, hydrazone, imine, and disulfide bonds, spanning a range of moduli (0.1–100 kPa) and relaxation times (10–1000 s) to mimic native and cancer-associated dermal and cartilaginous tissues.
- Fabricate and characterize these materials using rheology and nano-indentation, guided by molecular design insights from the project team.
- Apply tailorable DCH scaffolds to address key mechanobiology questions and provide mechanistic insight into how matrix viscoelasticity drives tissue-level biological processes.
- Work in close collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of doctoral students and postdocs working on related topics.
- Contribute to lab duties and teaching, including student supervision, lecture support, and practical courses in the lab.
Requirements
- Curious, motivated, and self-driven individual comfortable working on highly interdisciplinary projects at the interface of polymer chemistry, bioengineering, and cell biology.
- Academic excellence, a professional work attitude, and a proactive and self-driven work ethic are expected.
- Fluent communication in English (oral and written).
- Willingness to work in a highly interactive, international team.
- MSc degree in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, molecular health sciences, materials science, chemistry, or related fields.
- Working knowledge of polymer synthesis and hydrogel fabrication is required.
- Practical experience in one or more of the following is advantageous: 3D cell culture and standard biological assays (cell viability, immunostaining, gene/protein expression); mechanical characterization of soft materials (rheology, compression testing); or live-cell imaging and image analysis.
- Position is intended for 4 years at 100% employment and is conditional upon admission to the Doctoral Program at ETH Zurich.
Benefits
- The position is hosted in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering (D-MAVT) of ETH Zurich, an interdisciplinary department with focus areas in process/chemical, mechanical, and biomedical engineering as well as robotics and controls.
- ETH Zurich is a global leader in science and engineering and consistently ranks among the top universities in the world.
- Zurich offers broad access to outdoor activities, arts and culture, other European cities, and a rich scientific community.
- ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture, promotes equality of opportunity, values diversity, and nurtures a respectful working and learning environment.
- Sustainability is a core value, with ongoing efforts towards a climate-neutral future.
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Das Team
The Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory is a highly interdisciplinary and international team of motivated researchers. The doctoral student will work closely with doctoral students and postdocs, with supervision by Prof. Dr. Mark Tibbitt and day-to-day support from Dr. Céline Labouesse and collaboration with Dr. Philipp Fisch.