Postdoc Position in Bacteria and Materials Interactions

Organisation/Company Empa Research Field Biological sciences » Other Engineering » Biomedical engineering Engineering » Materials engineering Technology » Biotechnology Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Country Switzerland Final date to receive applications 20 Jan 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

The Biointerfaces Laboratory is offering a Postdoc position focused on the development of in vitro simulation models for performance evaluation of antimicrobial coatings. This project aims to tackle the growing challenge of infections caused by resistant bacteria through designing innovative, non-toxic, and durable antimicrobial solutions. This highly interdisciplinary project will be conducted in collaboration with several Swiss hospitals, offering a potential translation of scientific advancements into practical applications.

Postdoc Position in Bacteria and Materials Interactions

Your tasks
The primary focus of this position is to establish advanced in vitro simulation models for vascular grafts to assess the performance of nanoengineered antimicrobial and anti-fouling coatings. Key objectives include:

• Development of an in vitro model that mimics an in-vivo-like environment such as flow, medium, and temperature to ensure the translational potential of the coatings.
• Comparison of the established model with the standard lab models for evaluating coating stability, durability, and antimicrobial efficacy
• Integration of coating and biological performance data to guide optimization of multifunctional coatings.

Your profile
The candidate should have a PhD degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline, with expertise relevant to antimicrobial materials and invitro testing. Key qualifications include:

• Proven ability to develop and apply complex in vitro or ex vivo test systems.
• Hands-on experience with microbial assays, biofilm models, and/or biomaterial characterization.
• Strong project management and communication skills, with the ability to contribute expertise in a collaborative setting.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher who is eager to contribute to the translation of fundamental research into clinically relevant antimicrobial solutions.

Our offer
The Biointerfaces Laboratory is located in St. Gallen at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa). Our team is highly interdisciplinary and international, providing an inspiring environment for high impact research. We have internal expertise in (micro) biology, chemistry, materials engineering, and ex vivo models, and we have strong collaborations with external academic, industrial, and clinical partners to ensure project success.

Additionally, Empa offers outstanding infrastructure, career support, networking opportunities, and competitive salaries. The position is available from January 2026 or after negotiation, for an initial duration of two years with the possibility for extension.

We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts.

We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.