The Laboratory for Biological Engineering (Prof. Randall J Platt) of the ETH Zurich in Basel, Switzerland develops genome engineering technologies and applies them to a range of fundamental and disease-focused areas. To advance these efforts, the Platt group is recruiting a full-time (100%) PhD Student to develop and apply methods at the intersection of gene editing, functional genomics, protein engineering, and targeted protein degradation.

High-throughput perturbation technologies rely on perturbing DNA or RNA to infer the function of proteins. Methods to directly perturb proteins, such as through targeted protein degradation, have been challenging to implement in high throughput. This project focuses on developing novel technologies combining CRISPR-Cas and targeted protein degradation for high-throughput protein perturbation, enabling protetype-to-phenotype mapping.

We are looking for a highly motivated and collaborative researcher to be integrated in a multidisciplinary team of scientists. The candidate will develop novel gene editing and targeted protein degradation methods as well as apply them to ask fundamental biological questions and develop induced proximity therapeutics.

The ideal candidate will hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Molecular Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine, Structural Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, or a related field, and bring experience in several of the following areas spanning gene editing, functional genomics, and protein science:

• Molecular biology
• Mammalian cell culture
• CRISPR-Cas gene editing
• Pooled CRISPR screens
• Preparation of deep sequencing libraries for functional genomics
• Targeted protein degradation and induced proximity therapeutics
• Protein quantification and characterization in the context of mammalian cell line experiments
• Protein design and engineering
• Protein biochemistry and structural biology
• Cellular proteostasis
• Bioinformatics, statistics, and programming

The candidate will be passionate about science, technology, collaboration, and communication. The candidate must have a strong motivation and interest in collaboration with multi-disciplinary scientists. They must be able to communicate effectively in a highly interdisciplinary and international environment, which includes a mastery of oral and written English as well as scientific illustration using Adobe Illustrator or equivalent.

The position is located in the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE) of the ETH Zurich in Basel, Switzerland. The D-BSSE is a highly interdisciplinary department – specializing in systems and synthetic biology, bioinformatics and data science, and engineering sciences related to microfluidics and microfabrication. The D-BSSE is centrally located within a biomedical research hub with close links to top academic institutions (e.g., Friedrich Miescher Institute (FMI), Biozentrum and University of Basel) as well as major biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies (e.g., Novartis, Roche, Bayer, and Lonza). The ETH Zurich is a global leader in science and technology and consistently ranks as one of the top universities in the world. Basel, Switzerland is an international city on the border with France and Germany – nested between the Swiss alps, black forest, and cheese and wine country. The city provides easy access to arts and culture, nature and adventure, and short commutes via train/plain/automobile to anywhere in Europe.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• cover letter that mentions your scientific interests and why you are interested in the group
• CV
• diplomas and course transcripts
• contact details of two referees

Please submit your applications online. Applications via email will not be considered.

Further information can be found on our website. For questions about the position, please contact Prof. Platt (rplatt@ethz.ch) (no applications).