PhD Biophysical Characterization of Immune-Cell Activation

Teaching, research and practice - we connect PhD Position for Biophysical Characterization of Immune-Cell Activation School of Life Sciences FHNW, Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics Your tasks

We are seeking a highly motivated and curious PhD candidate with a passion for quantitative data analysis in the fields of immunology and biophysics. In this role, you will contribute to seminal work on the cellular and molecular characterization of receptor activation in immune cells by applying biophysics to living cells. Building on our earlier findings that focal molography can be used to study immunological receptors on living cells, you will investigate immune cell activation and T‑cell activity.

This interdisciplinary position offers the rare opportunity to work closely with Lino Biotech, the developer of focal molography, and Miltenyi Biotec, in a collaboration supported by Innosuisse funding. The position is based at FHNW’s new Muttenz campus, just outside Basel, Switzerland. The project is fully funded by Innosuisse, and the PhD thesis will be carried out in collaboration with the University of Bern.

The working place will be at the FHNW new Campus Muttenz, just outside Basel, Switzerland.

• Develop cellular assays to assess immune-cell activation using focal molography
• Investigate kinetic and functional modulation of immune-cell receptor activation by small‑molecule compounds
• Perform data analysis and modeling using Python
• Transfer and establish assays in clinically relevant primary human cells
• Opportunity to supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s students

• Strong background in cellular immunology
• Practical experience in biophysics, such as BLI, SPR, or related techniques
• Proficiency in Python or R for data analysis
• Hands‑on experience in protein biochemistry, flow cytometry (FACS), and cell culture
• Collaborative team player who enjoys working in an interdisciplinary environment
• Motivated to develop and implement innovative approaches in an open and collaborative setting
• Fluency in spoken and written English
• German language skills are an advantage

• Fully funded PhD position with integration into a graduate school
• Cutting‑edge research environment in cellular biophysics
• Collaborative work within an interdisciplinary team of biochemists, cell biologists, immunologists, and bioinformaticians
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art biophysical and immunological facilities, as well as advanced cell biology tools (e.g., FACS, microscopy)
• Close interdisciplinary collaboration within the institute and with two leading biotech companies
• Structured mentoring and support for personal development and advanced training
• Opportunity to contribute to pioneering research in an emerging area of immunology

The FHNW School of Life Sciences offers state‑of‑the‑art technical, laboratory and office facilities. Contributing to the school’s highly motivating working environment – which is second to none – are its collaboration with a large number of companies and institutions in Switzerland and abroad, a widely varied programme of scientific events, and daily contact with young students in research and teaching. The FHNW is also committed to equal opportunities and the compatibility of private and professional life.

Will you soon belong to our team? We look forward to your application.