Postdoc and PhD Positions in Biofilm Mechanics, Biophysics, and Microbiology at EPFL

The Persat Lab at EPFL, led by Professor Alexandre Persat, is recruiting postdoctoral researchers and PhD students for projects at the intersection of biophysics, microbiology, and bioengineering. The main project focuses on the mechanoregulation of Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilm antibiotic tolerance, aiming to uncover how the mechanical properties of biofilms contribute to antibiotic resistance and immune evasion. This research is highly relevant due to the global rise of hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae strains. Successful candidates will develop experimental and analytical approaches to quantify the mechanics of K. pneumoniae cells and biofilms, linking their physical properties to antibiotic response and organoid colonization. The lab welcomes applicants from biophysics, bioengineering, soft-matter physics, microbiology, or related disciplines, especially those with strong quantitative skills in microfluidics, mechanics, imaging, and data analysis. The Persat Lab is an international, dynamic group specializing in bacterial mechanobiology, microfluidics, organoid infection models, and high-resolution live imaging. The project is part of a broader research program integrating mechanical, genetic, and infection biology approaches to understand how K. pneumoniae withstands antibiotics and interacts with host tissues. The lab also encourages spontaneous applications from candidates with backgrounds in microbiology, bioengineering, biophysics, biochemistry, or antibiotic development. Employment is based on EPFL's postdoc and PhD student salary scales. For more information, consult the EPFL postdoc and PhD student guides. The application process involves submitting a CV, cover letter, and contact information for three references to Professor Persat's email. For the specific postdoc position, candidates should fill out the form linked on the lab's open positions page.