Postdoctoral Scientist(s) in In Vitro Diagnostics, Electrochemistry / Electronic Engineering
Immigration Policy Lab
Postdoctoral Scientist(s) in In Vitro Diagnostics, Electrochemistry / Electronic Engineering
100%, Zurich, fixed-term
Dr Daniel A. Richards and Professor Andrew J. deMello, in the Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering at ETH Zürich, are searching for two postdoctoral researchers to develop a diagnostic device for multidrug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-MTB). The aim is to develop and evaluate a simple, portable, and affordable device for diagnosing MDR-MTB at the point-of-care. This work is funded as part of a SNSF BRIDGE Discovery grant, and you would work as part of a multiinstitutional consortium, including the Swiss Centre for Microelectronics (CSEM), the Swiss Tropical Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), and the National Centre for Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (NCTLD) in Tblisi, Georgia. The first position will be filled by someone with a background in electrochemical biosensing, particular those with experience combining molecular biology and electrochemistry. The second position will be filled by someone with a background in electrical engineering and device development. These positions are fixed-term for 24 months in the first instance, with a possibility for extension.
Project background
Tuberculosis (TB) kills an estimated 1.25 million people each year, making it the single deadliest infectious disease. Unfortunately, TB disproportionately impacts low- and middle-income countries (LMICs); 98% of the global TB cases occur within LMICs, leading to devastating effects. Furthermore, the proliferation of this disease has resulted in widespread misuse of antibiotics, leading to the development of substantial drug resistance. Indeed, in the worst affected regions, drug resistance among recurring TB infections has risen above 50%.
Most TB deaths are preventable if diagnosed early. However, almost a quarter of all TB cases go undiagnosed. Similarly, the proliferation of drug resistance in TB can be partially attributed to a scarcity of effective methods for identifying resistance markers, which results in poor antibiotic stewardship. Unfortunately, contemporary diagnostic technologies have proved insufficient for diagnosing TB and associated drug resistances, particularly at the point-of-care (PoC). Few technologies exist that can quickly and accurately diagnose TB and simultaneously determine resistances, and those that can are large and expensive, precluding their use in LMICs. They are also overly reliant on sputum samples, which can be difficult to obtain, particularly in low-resource settings.
In this project, we want to develop an affordable, portable, and rapid diagnostic platform technology that can multiplex 14 targets for TB and associated markers for drug resistance from a single sample. This technology will be paper-based and leverage electrochemical signaling to facilitate miniaturization and provide quantitative readouts of disease. These paper-based tests will be constructed using a recently patented technology from ETHZ, namely, the laser-induced graphenization of cellulose. This manufacturing process is affordable, scalable, and rapid, making it ideal for constructing PoC devices. This technology will be combined with novel CRISPR–Cas-based biosensing assays, specifically engineered to enable the detection of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with drug resistance. To facilitate deployment at the PoC, we will leverage the facilities and expertise of CSEM to integrate these technologies into a highly affordable cartridge & reader system. The research team will be supported by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute and the National Center for Tuberculosis and Lung Disease in Georgia, who will validate the technology in patient samples and perform a small pilot study.
This device will fill a critical gap in the current treatment pathway of TB and bring care to millions of underserved patients, particularly in LMICs. By enabling rapid diagnosis of TB, this technology will facilitate more accurate and timely medical interventions, ultimately improving patient outcomes and decreasing the burdens on healthcare systems. Moreover, by focusing on common drug resistance markers, this technology will improve antimicrobial stewardship and be a valuable weapon in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Job description
Position 1
- Develop nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and CRISPR–Cas assays specific for MTB and MDR–MTB
- Develop solid-phase electrochemical reporters for CRISPR–Cas assays
- Evaluate your developed assays using patient-derived samples
- Protein expression
- Work closely with our academic and industrial project partners to ensure the work progresses in line with the larger project objectives
- Contribute to project management, including financial and time management
- Present at internal project meetings and at international conferences
- Write peer-reviewed publications
Position 2
- Develop minituarized graphene-based electrodes for electrochemical sensing
- Develop microfluidic / mesofluidic devices for liquid handling
- CAD design and 3D printing of prototypes
- Device evaluation using patient-derived samples
- Develop software for fluidics handling and data analysis
- Work closely with our academic and industrial project partners to ensure the work progresses in line with the larger project objectives
- Contribute to project management, including financial and time management
- Present at internal project meetings and at international conferences
- Write peer-reviewed publications
Profile
We would like to hear from computer scientists and/or imaging experts who are keen to gain expertise in bioengineering, IVDs and global health, and conversely from researchers who have experience in IVDs who are keen to move towards mHealth and computer science. Coding skills are essential. Previous experience writing code to automate high-throughput image capture and analysis, and in app development, are beneficial.
Candidates are expected to have obtained a PhD degree in a relevant science or engineering discipline. However, candidates will be judged on their overall experience, expertise and ambitions, rather than on their specific research discipline(s). Successful candidates will be part of an international research team and are expected to be highly motivated and passionate about science, engineering and global health.
You bring to the role:
- The ability to work well in a highly international, collaborative environment
- Ability to maintain focus on project objectives and deliverables
- Drive to take your research to an advanced technology readiness level
- Ability to work effectively with a range of collaborators
- Ability to write and communicate effectively and at a high level
Workplace
Workplace
We offer
- A multicultural and multidisciplinary research environment
- Attractive hiring conditions
- Access to state of the art equipment and resources
- Strong support in career progression
We value diversity and sustainability
Curious? So are we.
We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:
- A cover letter detailing your motivation for applying, and how you meet the position requirements
- A detailed CV including a publication list and details of at least two references
Applications will be assessed continually, and a short list for interview will be drawn up on December 1st. Interviews will be held online in mid-December. We anticipate the chosen candidates starting the project in the first quarter of 2026. Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.
Further information about the deMello group can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position are welcome, and should be directed to Dr Daniel Richards, daniel.richards@chem.ethz.ch (no applications).