PhD Student Disc And Cartilage Biology Studentjob.ch

PhD Student Disc and Cartilage Biology (ID1891) – Davos Platz, Graubünden, Switzerland

ARI's Regenerative Orthopaedics program is a multidisciplinary team taking a holistic approach to regenerative medicine for the repair of musculoskeletal injuries and degeneration. We combine specialist knowledge in cell and molecular biology, microbiology, polymer chemistry, and bioengineering to investigate cell-material interactions in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. We are highly experienced in the development of ex vivo organ models and complex bioreactor systems that are used to apply physiological load and reduce the number of animal studies required in accordance with 3R principles.

The objectives of this consortium project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation are the fabrication of a full intervertebral disc model using cells and biomaterials, the implementation of degenerative conditions and mechanical loading, and the validation of the system through interaction with immune cells and anti-inflammatory compounds.

The doctoral candidate will work at the AO Research Institute Davos and focus on the fabrication of a mechanically loaded cell seeded intervertebral disc model. You will be working with various 3D bio‑printed intervertebral disc models, consisting of nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus and endplate parts. The constructs will be fit into uniaxial and multiaxial bioreactor systems and cultured under mechanical loading with or without a proinflammatory component.

You will be involved in every aspect of design, application, and validation of innovative preclinical models that will help to understand mechanisms of disc degeneration and to test new therapies for patients suffering from discogenic low back pain. Towards this aim, you will closely collaborate with a second doctoral student working on the same project, and with our French project partners from Nantes University and Sorbonne University.

There will be close collaboration between these two PhD students.

• A background in biomedical sciences and interest in tissue engineering; a multidisciplinary team of fundamental and clinical scientists from many specialties.
• MSc degree with excellent marks and experience in cell biology, biochemistry, or bioengineering.
• Practical experience in cell/tissue culture.
• Experience in biochemical and molecular biological analysis techniques.
• Enthusiastic, excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Member of the Disc and Cartilage Biology Focus Area within the Regenerative Orthopaedics Program, with excellent facilities and experienced translational research teams.
• Join a PhD Programme within the D-HEST of ETH Zürich.
• Good English language skills and a work ethic suitable to the challenges.
• Familiarity with a cross‑cultural/interdisciplinary environment is an advantage.
• Eligibility to apply and obtain a visa for temporary residence in Switzerland is essential.

Starting date:
June 1 2026. Duration: 4 years.

• An interesting and varied job in an exciting and innovative organization.
• The opportunity to be part of a highly committed international team.
• Modern infrastructure.
• High degree of flexibility regarding working hours and location (depending on operational requirements).
• Generous package of social benefits, including supplementary vacation days and pension scheme contributions.
• Internal skills training opportunities and support for continued education.