Mutian Niu

ETH Zürich's Animal Nutrition group, led by Assistant Professor Mutian Niu, is recruiting a PhD student for a cutting-edge project in dairy cattle physiology and health. The research focuses on metabolic discovery and mechanistic physiology using exhalomics (exhaled breath metabolomics) to advance sustainability in dairy farming. The successful candidate will work at the interface of ruminant nutrition, animal health, and physiological phenotyping, integrating animal experiments with advanced analytical techniques and bioinformatics. The project includes three main components: (1) controlled nutritional experiments to study dietary impacts on rumen function and metabolism, (2) immune challenge experiments to investigate inflammatory states and metabolic signatures, and (3) large-scale exhalomics comparing healthy and hospitalized animals. The work involves in vivo and in vitro experiments, physiological and metabolic sampling (rumen, breath, blood, fecal, urine, milk), and high-resolution mass spectrometry data analysis. Collaboration with world-leading researchers from Iowa State University, PSI Paul Scherrer Institut, and University of Zurich is part of the program. Applicants should have a Master's degree in Animal Science, Biology, Physiology, Veterinary Science, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, or related fields. Essential skills include experimental work, motivation for animal research, scientific curiosity, teamwork, and English proficiency. Experience in metabolomics, mass spectrometry, nutritional or immunological models, analytical chemistry, and data science/bioinformatics is advantageous. ETH Zürich offers a stimulating research environment, competitive salary, flexible working hours, and support for work-life balance. The university values diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. Application evaluation and interviews start January 5, 2026, with a preferred start date in Spring 2026. To apply, submit a cover letter, CV with publication list, transcripts, Master thesis (if available), and contact details for 2-3 professional references via the ETH Zurich online application system. For questions, contact Mutian Niu at [email protected] (no applications by email). Keywords: Animal Nutrition, Dairy Cattle Physiology, Metabolomics, Exhalomics, Ruminant Nutrition, Animal Health, Physiological Phenotyping, Mass Spectrometry, Bioinformatics, Sustainability.

The Animal Nutrition Group at ETH Zurich, led by Professor Mutian Niu, is seeking a talented Postdoctoral Researcher or experienced Data Scientist to join their interdisciplinary team. The group focuses on advancing sustainable livestock production through innovative nutritional strategies, integrating hypothesis-driven experiments with data-driven approaches to enhance nutrient utilization efficiency in ruminants, particularly dairy cattle. The successful candidate will harness AI, machine learning, and statistical modeling to analyze cutting-edge datasets in precision feeding, animal behavior and welfare, multi-omics, and environmental impact. Key responsibilities include designing and implementing statistical and machine learning models for nutrient metabolism, rumen function, physiological responses, and feed efficiency; integrating multi-omics data with environmental and production metrics to support precision farm management strategies; leveraging emerging methodologies such as causal inference to uncover complex biological functions; collaborating with experimental biologists to validate models and translate insights into practical recommendations for sustainable farming; and contributing to grant proposals, publications, and open-source tool development. The position offers flexibility to align with the candidate's expertise, bridging computational innovation with biological applications in animal nutrition. Applicants should have a PhD in data science, computer science, applied mathematics, bioinformatics, statistics, animal science, or a related field, or a Master's degree with at least three years of relevant professional experience. Strong expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning, and AI frameworks (Python, R, TensorFlow, PyTorch) is required, along with experience in handling biological or animal science data. Familiarity with ruminant nutrition, sustainability modeling, or precision agriculture is a plus. The group values excellent communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and fluency in English. ETH Zurich offers a stimulating research environment, access to state-of-the-art facilities and datasets, professional growth opportunities, competitive salary, flexible working hours, and support for work-life balance. The university is committed to diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. Applications are accepted online and reviewed on a rolling basis, with a preferred start date in early 2026. For questions about the position, contact Professor Mutian Niu at [email protected].