Job & Career

Two PhD positions in ‘Synthetic Biology’ in the Bioprocess Laboratory at the ETH Zurich, Switzerland.

Synthetic Biology is a new research discipline concerned with the rational design of biological systems, which we apply to the manufacturing of chemicals. The group www.ipe.ethz.ch uses multi-enzyme systems to design multi-step catalytic pathways for exciting, sustainable multi-step catalysis. As part of an interdisciplinary 3 PhD project in designing such systems we are looking for one process/chem. engineer with a flair for advanced num. simulations, model-based experimental analysis, and interest in the description and manipulation of multi-enzyme reaction networks, including design and implementation of an integrated reactor/analysis system, mathematical modelling, and experimental design. We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a Master degree in Process or Chem. Eng. (or similar). Experience in at least one of the areas mentioned above is a plus.

We are also looking for a biotechnologist with a flair for chem. analysis and protein structure modelling and an interest in investigating the role of specific enzymes in multi-enzyme networks, including MS-based network analysis and enzyme eng. We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a Master degree in (Bio-)Chem. Eng. or Biotechnology (or similar). Experience in at least one the areas above is a plus. Good English communication skills, the ability to develop and work in an interdisciplinary team, and an independent but cooperative approach to scientific work are important in both cases.

Please send a CV including relevant transcript records, a letter of intent, and the coordinates of at least two references to Prof. Sven Panke at panke@ipe.mavt.ethz.ch .

PhD position in ‘Process Engineering/in situ Product Recovery’ in the Bioprocess Laboratory at the ETH Zurich, Switzerland.

We are looking for a process/chemical eng. with a flair for numerical simulations, model-based experimental analysis, and interest in chromatography and biocatalysis. The group  ( www.ipe.ethz.ch ) addresses important process constraints in biocatalysis, e.g. limited product yield due to reaction thermodynamics or product inhibition. Prep-scale chromatography (SMB technology) is applied in a continuous, highly integrated process in order to drastically improve the yield of promising bioreactions. The candidate will be responsible for the eng. aspects for the implementation of this process concept, including the development of fast and reliable simulation and optimization tools for process design and research into the fundamental aspects of operation of the fully integrated process. We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a Master degree in Process or Chemical Eng. (or similar). Experience in at least one of the areas mentioned above is an advantage.

Please send a full CV including relevant transcript records, a letter of intent, and the coordinates of at least two references to Prof. Sven Panke at panke@ipe.mavt.ethz.ch .