PhD Position in Metabolic Discovery and Mechanistic Physiology using Exhalomics in Dairy Cows

Organisation/Company ETH Zürich Research Field Agricultural sciences » Other Biological sciences » Biology Biological sciences » Other Chemistry » Biochemistry Medical sciences » Veterinary medicine Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Switzerland Final date to receive applications 3 Mar 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Part-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

PhD Position in Metabolic Discovery and Mechanistic Physiology using Exhalomics in Dairy Cows

The Animal Nutrition group at ETH Zurich invites applications for a PhD position focused on the interface of ruminant nutrition, animal health, and physiological phenotyping using emerging non-invasive exhalomics (exhaled breath metabolomics) approach
. The research program integrates animal experiments with advanced analytical techniques and bioinformatics to enhance the understanding and monitoring of physiological metabolism in dairy cows. The successful candidate will work within a dynamic research team led by Mutian Niu, benefiting from a state-of-the-art dairy research facility, a metabolic center, and high-resolution analytical platforms.

Project background

The PhD student will work on three major research components centered around exhalomics and its application to animal physiology and health:

• Nutrient Metabolism in Dairy Cows: The first component includes conducting controlled nutritional experiments to evaluate how dietary factors influence rumen function and metabolic responses.
• Immune Challenges and Early Detection of Health Perturbations: The second component involves several immune-related animal experiments using LPS challenge to examine how inflammatory states alter metabolic signatures in dairy cows.
• Large-Scale Exhalomics in Dairy Cows: The third component involves an observational study comparing exhaled-breath profiles of healthy and hospitalized animals.

Across all three components, the project will involve high-resolution mass-spectrometry and complementary data streams to explore how exhaled metabolites reflect physiological status.

• Conduct in vivo/ in vitro experiments in collaboration with existing experienced team.
• Perform physiological and metabolic sampling (rumen, breath, blood, fecal, urine, milk).
• Operate, integrate, extract, and interpret data from high-resolution mass spectrometry platforms.
• Organize, manage, and analyze large datasets including bioinformatics.
• Communicate scientific results in written and oral form, including conference presentations.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.
• Participate actively in group meetings and collaborative research discussions.
• Supporting role to other team members in carrying out their animal experiments/projects.

Profile

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Animal Science, Biology, Physiology, Veterinary Science, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics or related fields.
• Ability to perform structured, well-documented experimental work.
• Strong motivation to work with animals.
• Curiosity for science.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.

Desired (but not required) Skill

• Experience with nutritional, immunological (LPS) or metabolic models in animals.
• Familiarity with laboratory techniques in biochemistry, metabolomics, or bioinformatics.
• Exposure to mass spectrometry or analytical chemistry tools.
• Statistical/data-science/bioinformatic tools.

We offer

• A stimulating research environment in a world-leading institution, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and datasets.
• Opportunities for professional growth, including conferences, collaborations with different research organizations (e.g., PSI, Iowa State University, University of Zurich, etc.) and industry partners.
• Competitive salary in accordance with ETH Zurich standards, flexible working hours, and support for work-life balance.
• Membership in a diverse, international team committed to innovative, impactful science.
• We at ETH Zurich are committed to building a diverse faculty and staff. We value and promote diversity and seek candidates who are committed…