ENDOTRAIN is a Horizon Europe Doctoral Training Network dedicated to transforming the diagnosis and management of adrenal disorders through cutting-edge digital tools.
ENDOTRAIN will train a new generation of interdisciplinary experts who merge clinical endocrinology, artificial intelligence, data science, engineering, ethics and law into an integrated field of digital endocrinology. Interested in joining the team?
ETH Zürich is one of Europe's foremost technical universities, located in the heart of Switzerland. The PhD candidate will be positioned at the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering and the Department of Health Sciences and Technology, offering a unique interdisciplinary blend of cutting-edge research in engineering, health, and technology.
Project background This project is embedded in Work Package 2of the ENDOTRAIN network that will explore the use of nanotechnology-enhanced electrochemical sensors for highly sensitive, selective and reversible biomarker sensing. Specifically, the work will focus on the design and fabrication of functional electrode coating materials (nano-enzymes) and surface architectures that enable reversible analyte binding, high signal stability, and resistance to biofouling during long-term operation. The PhD candidate will be co-hosted by the Human-centered Sensing Laboratory (Prof. Anreas Güntner) and the Laboratory of Exercise and Health (Prof. Katrien de Bock).
Job description The candidate should work full-time on the project and must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Switzerland for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date. The student will be enrolled in the structured PhD programme of the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering or the Department of Health Sciences and Technology. Participation in the interdisciplinary training of the ENDOTRAIN network is mandatory, including workshops, retreats, transferable skills courses, and cohort-wide meetings across Europe.
Specific tasks may include: - Engineering of redox-active or affinity-based interfaces (nanoparticles, single-atom isolates, artificial enzymes) with tunable binding kinetics
- Integrating them with transduction schemes that deliver high sensitivity and selectivity in complex media
- Validation in controlled in vitro and ex vivo systems, enabling quantitative correlations between electrochemical signals and dynamic biochemical processes
- Support in vivo tests in mouse models and clinical trials
Secondments: - Imperial College London (UK): Electrochemical sensing strategies
- University Hospital Zurich (CH): Testing of sampler on humans
Profile We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with:
- A Master's degree (MSc or equivalent) in (Electro-)Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Materials Science or a related field
- Strong interest in translational health technologies
- Excellent command of written and spoken English
- Good communication skills and capacity for interdisciplinary collaboration
- Ideally: Experience in sensor design, nanoparticle fabrication, single-atom catalysts
Applicants must fulfil eligibility criteria for Swiss-based PhD positions and be willing to participate in training activities across Europe.
Starting date: before August 2026
We offer ETH Zurich is a family-friendly employer with excellent working conditions. You can look forward to an exciting working environment, cultural diversity and attractive offers and benefits. We offer:
- Competitive salary according to Swiss National Science Foundation regulations
- Full social security coverage in Switzerland
- Travel and secondment budget included
- Opportunities for international networking, industry exposure, and career development
> Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich We value diversity and sustainability In line with
our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our
Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us - we are consistently working towards a
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