PhD Position in Identifying Small Molecule Inhibitors of Alzheimer's Disease Through a Combination of Microfluidics and Fluorescence Imaging

The deMello Group in the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences at ETH Zürich, a world-leading center for the development of novel microfluidic technologies, is looking for a motivated PhD student to develop state-of-the-art microfluidic and imaging techniques for identifying inhibitors of Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains a global challenge, lacking effective treatments. Current drugs offer limited benefits, highlighting an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. A primary factor limiting the identification of new drug candidates is the dearth of robust, time- and cost-effective screening methods. High-throughput screening methods are critical for drug discovery but are commonly unable to mimic the brain microenvironment or provide detailed mechanistic insights. Microfluidics offers a powerful experimental platform able to recreate physiologically relevant conditions and perform rapid and cost-effective screening of chemical libraries.

The aim of this project is to develop microfluidic platforms able to identify small molecule inhibitors that target AD. Specifically, a combination of microfluidics, time-resolved and super -resolution fluorescence imaging, and high-throughput screening will be used to accelerate the discovery of novel therapeutics under conditions that mimic the physiological environment of cell membranes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, fabricate and operate microfluidic devices
• Develop assays to monitor aggregation kinetics in real time
• Screen chemical libraries to identify potential therapeutic candidates
• Collaborate closely with protein engineers to prepare diverse drug candidate libraries
• Prepare high-quality publications and present findings at international conferences

The successful candidate should hold:

• An MSc degree in chemistry, biology, engineering, or a related discipline with excellent grades
• Experience in fluorescence imaging, microfabrication, microfluidics, biophysical characterization of biomolecules, protein biochemistry will be beneficial
• Fluent communication skills (written and presentation) in English are essential

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.