Postdoc position for blood-based detection of Dementia using nanoscale imaging and chemical spectroscopy. 100%
Empa, Materials Science and Technology
Contattare
"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
Postdoc position for blood-based detection of Dementia using nanoscale imaging and chemical spectroscopy.
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.At the biosensing and functional surfaces group we focus on decoding the role of protein
aggregation in neurodegenerative disease progression using nanoscale analytics.
Your tasks
Will be aimed at resolving, identifying, and classifying pathological proteins in blood from patients at various
stages of decline in memory and cognition using label-free nanoscale imaging and chemical spectroscopy. Blood from
age-matched healthy controls will also be analyzed. The classified amyloid and tau protein aggregates ranging from
single oligomers, protofibrils to mature fibrils in blood require to be correlated in a patient-specific manner with
clinical results to build a predictive model for identifying people at risk of developing neurogenerative diseases from
stroke to dementia and evaluating treatment efficiency.
Your profile
We seek a highly motivated candidate with a Ph.D. degree in experimental biophysics (or a closely related discipline)
with experience in application of chemical spectroscopy for protein analytics and morphological characterisation of
biomolecules in body fluids (blood, cerebrospinal fluid). The candidate will be responsible for developing innovative
approaches and new methods for data analysis aimed at chemically classifying pathological protein aggregates in blood
from patients at various stages of decline in memory and cognition.
More specifically, a successful applicant should have experience:
- With atomic force microscopy combined with one or more of the following chemical spectroscopy techniques (Raman, IR,
fluorescence);
- With conducting studies on the role of protein aggregation in neurodegenerative disease progression;
- Working in biosafety level 2 laboratory.
Our offer
We offer a stimulating research environment with an excellent infrastructure in chemical spectroscopies (Raman, IR,
fluorescence based chemical profiling of proteins) and nanoscale imaging techniques (a suite of atomic force
microscopes, 3D rotational tomography and electron microscopes). Within the collaborative project, the successful
candidate will interact closely with neurologists at the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, where the patients
for the study will be recruited. The position is for a duration of two years with a possible extension to a third year
maximum and will be available as of April 2025 or upon 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.PatriciaNitzsche, Stv. Leiterin Human Resources / Dep. Head Human Resources
Questions?
DrPeterNirmalraj
Group Leader
Transport at Nanoscale Interfaces Laboratory
https://www.empa.ch/web/s405/biosensing
Insights
Your future place of work
Empa
Ueberlandstrasse 129
8600Dübendorf
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
Postdoc position for blood-based detection of Dementia using nanoscale imaging and chemical spectroscopy.
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.At the biosensing and functional surfaces group we focus on decoding the role of protein
aggregation in neurodegenerative disease progression using nanoscale analytics.
Your tasks
Will be aimed at resolving, identifying, and classifying pathological proteins in blood from patients at various
stages of decline in memory and cognition using label-free nanoscale imaging and chemical spectroscopy. Blood from
age-matched healthy controls will also be analyzed. The classified amyloid and tau protein aggregates ranging from
single oligomers, protofibrils to mature fibrils in blood require to be correlated in a patient-specific manner with
clinical results to build a predictive model for identifying people at risk of developing neurogenerative diseases from
stroke to dementia and evaluating treatment efficiency.
Your profile
We seek a highly motivated candidate with a Ph.D. degree in experimental biophysics (or a closely related discipline)
with experience in application of chemical spectroscopy for protein analytics and morphological characterisation of
biomolecules in body fluids (blood, cerebrospinal fluid). The candidate will be responsible for developing innovative
approaches and new methods for data analysis aimed at chemically classifying pathological protein aggregates in blood
from patients at various stages of decline in memory and cognition.
More specifically, a successful applicant should have experience:
- With atomic force microscopy combined with one or more of the following chemical spectroscopy techniques (Raman, IR,
fluorescence);
- With conducting studies on the role of protein aggregation in neurodegenerative disease progression;
- Working in biosafety level 2 laboratory.
Our offer
We offer a stimulating research environment with an excellent infrastructure in chemical spectroscopies (Raman, IR,
fluorescence based chemical profiling of proteins) and nanoscale imaging techniques (a suite of atomic force
microscopes, 3D rotational tomography and electron microscopes). Within the collaborative project, the successful
candidate will interact closely with neurologists at the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, where the patients
for the study will be recruited. The position is for a duration of two years with a possible extension to a third year
maximum and will be available as of April 2025 or upon 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.PatriciaNitzsche, Stv. Leiterin Human Resources / Dep. Head Human Resources
Questions?
DrPeterNirmalraj
Group Leader
Transport at Nanoscale Interfaces Laboratory
https://www.empa.ch/web/s405/biosensing
Insights
Your future place of work
Empa
Ueberlandstrasse 129
8600Dübendorf
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