Postdoctoral Researcher; Mechanisms of action of mucosal adjuvants

Overview

The Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering (BIIE) is a new interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to innovation in immune engineering. Founded in 2024 through a generous endowment from Fondation Botnar, the BIIE supports scientists in taking on some of the world's most challenging problems in immunology and global health. The institute unites experts across immunology, biomedicine, bioengineering, and related fields, creating a unique multidisciplinary environment with a mission to make a lasting impact and to train future leaders in immune engineering.

We are looking to recruit a postdoctoral researcher to explore the mechanisms of action of known mucosal adjuvants and to apply this knowledge to develop novel mucosal adjuvants.

As part of our team, you ll receive hands-on training, along with support for your professional and personal growth. Your responsibilities will include :

• In vivo and in vitro experiments, with detailed physiological, cell biological and biochemical read-outs to understand how AB-toxin-type mucosal adjuvants enhance mucosal immune responses.
• Designing bioinformatic / protein-design strategies to develop novel mucosal adjuvants with beneficial characteristics.
• Interacting with a group of interdisciplinary researchers focused on oral vaccine design to incorporate novel adjuvant concepts into vaccine pipelines.
• Participating in strategic planning, collaborating with others, and scientific writing.
• Engaging with all aspects of the research group s work, from reading relevant literature to sharing ideas and joining group meetings and journal clubs.

Our Molecular Mucosal Immunology group is dedicated to fostering creativity in science. We offer a balance of expert mentorship and the freedom to shape your project in ways you find most meaningful. Our research is aimed at advancing fundamental knowledge of the mucosal immune system and achieving real-world clinical impact.

Essential :

• PhD in immunology or mucosal immunology or host-microbe interactions or de novo protein design.
• Aptitude to work in a dynamic and diverse team and enthusiasm to solve complex problems.

Strongly preferred :

• Research experience in the areas of cellular and molecular immunology, multi-omics, recombinant protein production, bioinformatics.
• Ability to programme in R and / or Python.
• Experience with in vivo models (mouse)

We particularly want to hear from applicants who are excited to work in a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment, and who have drive to push the boundaries of knowledge. Bold and innovative research ideas will be welcomed.

This position is available immediately. Please note that the group will relocate from Zurich to the new BIIE building in Basel in early 2027.

Final date to receive applications :
November 16th 2025

The Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering is a newly founded non-profit research organization aiming to become a world leading research institute for the advanced study of immunological systems with a mission to develop translational solutions for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.

The scientific foundation of the BIIE is based on the intersection of three interdisciplinary subdomains : (i) systems immunology, (ii) synthetic immunology and (iii) computational immunology. The BIIE will serve as a hub for multidisciplinary science, by uniting people with diverse expertise in immunology, biomedicine, bioengineering, systems and synthetic biology, computational biology, artificial intelligence and machine learning. As part of the mission of BIIE to make a lasting impact, it will dedicate significant efforts in training early-stage researchers in this unique multidisciplinary environment, thus enabling them to become future leaders in Immune Engineering.