PhD position: Biomedical engineer for drug-releasing hernia repair meshes 100%
Empa, Materials Science and Technology
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"As Switzerland's incubator for innovation, Empa's research provides answers to the most pressing challenges facing
industry." Prof. Dr. Katharina Maniura, Biointerfaces "Empa's research on the highest international level plays a
leading role in the advancement of technology." Prof. Dr. Ayodhya Nath Tiwari, Thin Films and Photovoltaics "Empa's
materials science and technology research is of great benefit to society in the fields of energy, mobility,
environment, construction and health." Prof. Dr. Bernd Nowack, Technology and Society "For my research projects I use
first-class equipment. This is extremely important in dynamic 3D radiography." Dr. Ameet Aiyangar, Mechanical Systems
Engineering "Empa offers good employment conditions and supports equal opportunities. I consider this very important."
Irene Ferretto, Advanced Materials Processing "Empa has sites in three attractive regions in Switzerland. This also
ensures a good quality of life." Dr. Shanyu Zhao, Building Energy Materials and Components "We enjoy working in a team.
For us it is important that Empa pursues topics like sustainability and innovation." Michael Levy and Nikola Tatalovic,
Finances/Controlling "My work is exciting and highly diverse - and I am right there when research projects are being
implemented in NEST, Empa's research and innovation building." Yannic Trüb, Real Estate Management "At Empa I value the
good work environment and international collaboration." Subas Scheibler, Particles-Biology Interactions
PhD position: Biomedical engineer for drug-releasing hernia repair meshes
Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100
employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research
institution of the ETH Domain.Our Laboratory for Advanced Fibers in St. Gallen develops functional polymer fibers for
medical and technical applications. Together with partners at Bern University hospital and RWTH Aachen University, we
are pioneering a new generation of hernia repair meshes with built-in drug-delivery functionality. The goal is to
reduce postoperative pain and prevent local infections by integrating melt-spun, liquid-core fibers capable of
controlled release of analgesics and antimicrobials.
Your tasks
- Develop liquid-core fibers loaded with pain-relieving and antimicrobial drugs
- Investigate diffusion behavior, mechanical stability, and stimuli-responsive functionality of fibers
- Fabricate and characterize hernia mesh prototypes, including mechanical, thermal, and in-vitro/ex-vivo performance
testing
- Collaborate closely with polymer scientists, surgeons, microbiologists, and biomedical engineers
- Present your results in conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals
- Prepare and defend a PhD thesis at RWTH Aachen University
Your profile
- Master’s degree in biomedical engineering or related disciplines
- Strong interest in medical textiles, biomaterials, and drug-delivery systems
- Practical experience with polymer processing or biomedical testing is an advantage
- You enjoy interdisciplinary teamwork and are motivated to advance translational research at the interface of
engineering and medicine
- Fluency in English; German is an asset
Our offer
We offer an international, highly stimulating research environment with excellent infrastructure for polymer
processing, fiber fabrication, and biomedical analysis. You will be based at Empa in St. Gallen (Dr. Edith Perret,
principal supervisor) and enrolled as a PhD student at RWTH Aachen University (Prof. Stefan Jockenhövel, doctoral
advisor). The expected duration is 4 years, starting as soon as possible or upon mutual agreement.We live a culture of
inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities -
that's what counts.We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV,
certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job
portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.SarahStüdli, Bereichspersonalleiterin / HR Partner
Questions?
Dr.EdithPerret
Group leader ai.
Advanced Fibers
Your future place of work
Empa
Lerchenfeldstrasse 5
9014St. Gallen
Empa as an employer
Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working
environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of
life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc.
Good to know
Empa website
Working in Switzerland
Employment process
Conditions of employment
Apply now
industry." Prof. Dr. Katharina Maniura, Biointerfaces "Empa's research on the highest international level plays a
leading role in the advancement of technology." Prof. Dr. Ayodhya Nath Tiwari, Thin Films and Photovoltaics "Empa's
materials science and technology research is of great benefit to society in the fields of energy, mobility,
environment, construction and health." Prof. Dr. Bernd Nowack, Technology and Society "For my research projects I use
first-class equipment. This is extremely important in dynamic 3D radiography." Dr. Ameet Aiyangar, Mechanical Systems
Engineering "Empa offers good employment conditions and supports equal opportunities. I consider this very important."
Irene Ferretto, Advanced Materials Processing "Empa has sites in three attractive regions in Switzerland. This also
ensures a good quality of life." Dr. Shanyu Zhao, Building Energy Materials and Components "We enjoy working in a team.
For us it is important that Empa pursues topics like sustainability and innovation." Michael Levy and Nikola Tatalovic,
Finances/Controlling "My work is exciting and highly diverse - and I am right there when research projects are being
implemented in NEST, Empa's research and innovation building." Yannic Trüb, Real Estate Management "At Empa I value the
good work environment and international collaboration." Subas Scheibler, Particles-Biology Interactions
PhD position: Biomedical engineer for drug-releasing hernia repair meshes
Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100
employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research
institution of the ETH Domain.Our Laboratory for Advanced Fibers in St. Gallen develops functional polymer fibers for
medical and technical applications. Together with partners at Bern University hospital and RWTH Aachen University, we
are pioneering a new generation of hernia repair meshes with built-in drug-delivery functionality. The goal is to
reduce postoperative pain and prevent local infections by integrating melt-spun, liquid-core fibers capable of
controlled release of analgesics and antimicrobials.
Your tasks
- Develop liquid-core fibers loaded with pain-relieving and antimicrobial drugs
- Investigate diffusion behavior, mechanical stability, and stimuli-responsive functionality of fibers
- Fabricate and characterize hernia mesh prototypes, including mechanical, thermal, and in-vitro/ex-vivo performance
testing
- Collaborate closely with polymer scientists, surgeons, microbiologists, and biomedical engineers
- Present your results in conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals
- Prepare and defend a PhD thesis at RWTH Aachen University
Your profile
- Master’s degree in biomedical engineering or related disciplines
- Strong interest in medical textiles, biomaterials, and drug-delivery systems
- Practical experience with polymer processing or biomedical testing is an advantage
- You enjoy interdisciplinary teamwork and are motivated to advance translational research at the interface of
engineering and medicine
- Fluency in English; German is an asset
Our offer
We offer an international, highly stimulating research environment with excellent infrastructure for polymer
processing, fiber fabrication, and biomedical analysis. You will be based at Empa in St. Gallen (Dr. Edith Perret,
principal supervisor) and enrolled as a PhD student at RWTH Aachen University (Prof. Stefan Jockenhövel, doctoral
advisor). The expected duration is 4 years, starting as soon as possible or upon mutual agreement.We live a culture of
inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities -
that's what counts.We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV,
certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job
portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.SarahStüdli, Bereichspersonalleiterin / HR Partner
Questions?
Dr.EdithPerret
Group leader ai.
Advanced Fibers
Your future place of work
Empa
Lerchenfeldstrasse 5
9014St. Gallen
Empa as an employer
Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working
environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of
life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc.
Good to know
Empa website
Working in Switzerland
Employment process
Conditions of employment
Apply now