Postdoctoral and PhD Positions in Neurotechnology: Drug/Biologics Carrier Formulation & Chemical Engineering for Focused Ultrasound-Mediated Brain Drug Delivery ETH Zürich in United Kingdom

ETH Zurich’s Neurotechnology Group, led by Prof. Mehmet Fatih Yanik, is recruiting outstanding PhD students and postdoctoral researchers for a newly funded LOOP Zurich Flagship Project in focused ultrasound-mediated brain drug delivery. The project aims to advance a breakthrough, non-invasive precision delivery platform toward clinical translation by combining ultrasound-responsive carrier formulations, targeted ultrasound delivery, imaging, sensing, and closed-loop control.

The research builds on a platform previously reported in Nature Communications and is designed to concentrate therapeutic carriers in a target brain region and then trigger localized drug release, maximizing treatment at the intended site while reducing systemic exposure. The core scientific challenge is the chemical formulation and engineering of ultrasound-responsive carriers, with emphasis on drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, release kinetics, physicochemical stability, and biocompatibility.

Depending on experience and interests, the work may include designing and synthesizing carrier systems such as microbubbles, nanodroplets, liposomes, and polymeric/lipid nanoparticles; optimizing formulation and production methods such as microfluidics, emulsification, and sonication; characterizing size, zeta potential, morphology, and stability; developing analytical methods for quantification; and integrating formulations with focused ultrasound delivery systems. The project also includes in vitro and in vivo testing, regulatory-aware formulation development, and contributions toward first-in-human clinical studies.

This is a highly interdisciplinary environment spanning chemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, biomedical engineering, and translational medicine. The project is carried out in close collaboration with the Swiss Epilepsy Clinic Lengg, the Department of Neurosurgery at the University Hospital Zurich, and the Vetsuisse Faculty of the University of Zurich. The broader application space includes epilepsy, brain tumors, neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, and other neurological conditions.

PhD candidates will be enrolled in the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (D-ITET) at ETH Zurich, affiliated with the Institute of Neuroinformatics and the Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ) PhD Program. Postdoctoral researchers will be affiliated with the Institute of Neuroinformatics. The laboratory offers an exceptional infrastructure, including chemical synthesis and formulation labs, high-field 7T MRI, microscopy, electrophysiology, prototyping workshops, microfabrication access, cell culture, and animal research facilities.

Applicants should have a strong academic record and relevant background. For the PhD position, a bachelor’s degree and preferably a master’s degree are expected; for the postdoctoral position, a PhD is required. Desired skills include quantitative analysis, programming, laboratory experience in formulation or colloid chemistry, and hands-on use of characterization tools such as DLS, HPLC, and electron microscopy. Experience with focused ultrasound, drug delivery, microfluidics, and animal studies is advantageous. Applications must be submitted through ETH Zurich’s online portal as a single PDF package, including a one-page cover letter, CV, transcripts, degree documents, publications if applicable, and contact details for at least two referees.