The Neurotechnology Group of Prof. Mehmet Fatih Yanik at ETH Zurich is recruiting outstanding PhD students to join a newly funded LOOP Zurich Flagship Project focused on advancing a breakthrough technology for non-invasive targeted drug delivery to the brain. The laboratory recently developed a novel focused ultrasound-mediated targeted drug delivery platform, published in Nature Communications, enabling localized, hyper-efficient delivery of therapeutic compounds to specific brain regions without invasive surgery. The long-term goal is to establish this technology as a clinically applicable therapeutic platform by integrating targeted drug delivery with advanced neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and closed-loop neuromodulation.
Tasks
- Further develop the focused ultrasound-mediated targeted drug delivery technology.
- Investigate its therapeutic potential for neurological disorders.
- Perform preclinical validation in rodent and large-animal models.
- Contribute to the preparation of first-in-human clinical studies.
- Development of next-generation focused ultrasound systems.
- fMRI-guided treatment planning and targeting.
- Optimization of targeted drug delivery and therapeutic dosing.
- Development of closed-loop ultrasound neuromodulation systems.
- Design of custom hardware and software.
- Electrophysiology and multimodal neurophysiology.
- Rodent and large-animal neuroscience experiments.
- Translation of the technology toward clinical application.
- Collaboration with clinicians to prepare first-in-human clinical studies.
- Medical device development and regulatory approval.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Neuroscience, Computer Science, Chemistry, or a closely related field.
- Excellent academic record.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
- Experimental laboratory experience (e.g., biomedical engineering, neuroscience, chemistry, optics, electrophysiology, or related fields).
- Programming experience (Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar).
- Interest in developing novel biomedical technologies.
- Strong motivation for translational neuroscience and medical innovation.
- Experience with mechanical design, machining, prototyping, or building custom experimental setups is highly desirable.
- Previous experience with focused ultrasound, fMRI, electrophysiology, medical imaging, robotics, drug delivery, or biomedical instrumentation is advantageous.
- Willingness to participate in animal experiments.
Benefits
- The Neurotechnology Group at ETH Zurich provides one of Europe’s leading research environments for neurotechnology.
- Access to high-field 7 Tesla MRI, two-photon and confocal microscopy, state-of-the-art electrophysiology, brain-machine interfaces, mechanical and electronic prototyping workshops, advanced microfabrication facilities, chemical synthesis laboratories, cell culture facilities, behavioral neuroscience laboratories, and small- and large-animal research facilities.
- Collaboration with scientists and clinicians across ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, and Klinik Lengg.
- Enrollment as a PhD student in the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (D-ITET) at ETH Zurich, member of the Institute of Neuroinformatics, and the Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ) PhD Program.
- 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 consistent efforts towards a climate-neutral future.
Bist du Teil dieses Unternehmens?
Dieses Unternehmensprofil wurde automatisch erstellt. Wenn du für ETH Zürich arbeitest, kannst du das Profil jetzt beanspruchen und verifizieren – kostenlos und in wenigen Minuten.
Über uns
Das Team
The Neurotechnology Group integrates expertise in therapeutic carrier design, robotics, medical imaging, real-time sensing, and intelligent control, and collaborates closely with clinicians and researchers from ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, and Klinik Lengg.