PhD Student position in Time-Resolved Structural Biology of Color Vision -80%
Universität Zürich
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PhD Student position in Time-Resolved Structural Biology of Color Vision 80 %
Start of employment February 1, 2026
A PhD Student position funded by an SNSF Ambizione grant is available in the team of Dr. Polina Isaikina, hosted by
Prof. Jörg Standfuss at the University of Zürich and the Paul Scherrer Institute. Our team applies state-of-the-art
structural biology approaches to investigate the functional mechanisms of G protein-coupled receptors and other
proteins in a time-resolved manner. Please see our website for further information.
Your responsibilities
In this PhD project, you will study the activation mechanism of cone opsins, the proteins that form the basis of human
color vision, using advanced structural biology techniques. These include time-resolved X-ray crystal-lography at the
Swiss X-ray Free Electron Laser and single-particle cryo-electron microscopy at the UZH facilities. You will also be
responsible for protein production and functional characterization of your targets. The project is embedded in the
Biomolecular Structure and Mechanisms program of the Life Science Zürich Graduate School.
Your profile
You must hold a Master's degree in biochemistry, chemistry, structural biology, biophysics, or a related discipline,
completed before February 2026. Experience in one or more of the following areas is an advantage: cryo-EM, membrane
protein biochemistry/biophysics, X-ray crystallography, or spectroscopy. We also expect strong intrinsic motivation to
work on ambitious, interdisciplinary projects at the frontier of structural biology.
Information on your application
Interested? Please submit your application documents (cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact details of two
referees) as a single PDF document.
What we offer
Our employees benefit from a wide range of attractive offers. More
What we offer
Work-Life Balance
- Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing)
- Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH
More Learning and Development
- Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich
- Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich
More Food
- Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias
- Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution
More Healthcare
- Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ
- Free seasonal flu vaccinations
- Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower
More Discounts
- Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space
- Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions
- Special conditions on hotel reservations
More Conditions of Employment
- Policies of the UZH
- Most UZH staff are employed according to public law
More International Services
- Support for people from outside Switzerland
More Campuses
- Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren
- Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg
More
Location
Department of Chemistry
Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
Further information
Questions about the job
Dr. Polina IsaikinaSNSF Ambizione Fellow Contact Form
Contact question to: Dr. Polina Isaikina
Your Name *Your Mail Address *Your question *I accept the privacy policySend Thank you for your message. We will get
back to you shortly.
Questions about the application procedure
Prof. Dr. Jörg StandfussAssociate Professor & Head Laboratory of Biomolecular Research Contact Form
Contact question to: Prof. Dr. Jörg Standfuss
Your Name *Your Mail Address *Your question *Ich akzeptiere hiermit die DatenschutzerklärungSend Thank you for your
message. We will get back to you shortly. Working at UZH
The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject
areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the
University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent
and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer!
More → https://www.uzh.ch/en/explore/work.html
Please apply via our job portal www.jobs.uzh.ch.
Working at UZH
The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject
areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the
University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent
and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer! More
PhD Student position in Time-Resolved Structural Biology of Color Vision 80 %
Start of employment February 1, 2026
A PhD Student position funded by an SNSF Ambizione grant is available in the team of Dr. Polina Isaikina, hosted by
Prof. Jörg Standfuss at the University of Zürich and the Paul Scherrer Institute. Our team applies state-of-the-art
structural biology approaches to investigate the functional mechanisms of G protein-coupled receptors and other
proteins in a time-resolved manner. Please see our website for further information.
Your responsibilities
In this PhD project, you will study the activation mechanism of cone opsins, the proteins that form the basis of human
color vision, using advanced structural biology techniques. These include time-resolved X-ray crystal-lography at the
Swiss X-ray Free Electron Laser and single-particle cryo-electron microscopy at the UZH facilities. You will also be
responsible for protein production and functional characterization of your targets. The project is embedded in the
Biomolecular Structure and Mechanisms program of the Life Science Zürich Graduate School.
Your profile
You must hold a Master's degree in biochemistry, chemistry, structural biology, biophysics, or a related discipline,
completed before February 2026. Experience in one or more of the following areas is an advantage: cryo-EM, membrane
protein biochemistry/biophysics, X-ray crystallography, or spectroscopy. We also expect strong intrinsic motivation to
work on ambitious, interdisciplinary projects at the frontier of structural biology.
Information on your application
Interested? Please submit your application documents (cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact details of two
referees) as a single PDF document.
What we offer
Our employees benefit from a wide range of attractive offers. More
What we offer
Work-Life Balance
- Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing)
- Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH
More Learning and Development
- Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich
- Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich
More Food
- Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias
- Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution
More Healthcare
- Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ
- Free seasonal flu vaccinations
- Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower
More Discounts
- Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space
- Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions
- Special conditions on hotel reservations
More Conditions of Employment
- Policies of the UZH
- Most UZH staff are employed according to public law
More International Services
- Support for people from outside Switzerland
More Campuses
- Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren
- Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg
More
Location
Department of Chemistry
Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
Further information
Questions about the job
Dr. Polina IsaikinaSNSF Ambizione Fellow Contact Form
Contact question to: Dr. Polina Isaikina
Your Name *Your Mail Address *Your question *I accept the privacy policySend Thank you for your message. We will get
back to you shortly.
Questions about the application procedure
Prof. Dr. Jörg StandfussAssociate Professor & Head Laboratory of Biomolecular Research Contact Form
Contact question to: Prof. Dr. Jörg Standfuss
Your Name *Your Mail Address *Your question *Ich akzeptiere hiermit die DatenschutzerklärungSend Thank you for your
message. We will get back to you shortly. Working at UZH
The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject
areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the
University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent
and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer!
More → https://www.uzh.ch/en/explore/work.html
Please apply via our job portal www.jobs.uzh.ch.
Working at UZH
The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject
areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the
University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent
and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer! More