PhD Candidate Position in Nutritional Epidemiology

PhD Candidate Position in Nutritional Epidemiology University of Bern Workplace Bern - Bern region - Switzerland Category Health | Life Sciences Position Junior Researcher / PhD Position Published 13 November 2025 Postdoc Position - Lymphatic-Vascular Organs-on-Chip Model 100 % ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research The ARTORG Organs-on-Chip Technologies Lab (Prof. O. Guenat) integrates microfluidic engineering with advanced cell biology to create next-generation disease models. In collaboration with ETH Zürich (Prof. C. Halin) and the University of Bern (Prof. C. Bourquin), this project aims to advance understanding of the human lung’s lymphatic vasculature in health and disease, with a focus on COPD, through the development of innovative organ-on-chip systems. We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in vascular and/or lymphatic biology, ideally with experience in organs-on-chip or microphysiological systems. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong drive for innovative, cross-disciplinary research and a proven commitment to collaborative, translational science. Requirements PhD in Vascular Biology, Cell Biology, Biomedical Sciences or similar with strong foundation in vascular/lymphatic biology, lung pathophysiology, respiratory diseases, and mechanobiology Scientific Expertise: - Solid foundation in vascular and lymphatic biology, lung pathophysiology, respiratory diseases & mechanobiology - Proven experience in in vitro model systems, ideally organ-on-chip or microfluidic co-culture models Technical Skills: - Cell Culture: Primary endothelial, pericyte, and immune cell culture - Microscopy: Immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, live-cell imaging & image analysis software (eg. Imaris) - Molecular & Cellular Analysis: Flow cytometry, Western blot, qPCR, ELISA - Functional assays: Cytokine/chemokine profiling, permeability, barrier function assessment - Omics approaches: RNA-seq, proteomics Supervision & leadership: - Experience supervising MSc & PhD candidates; project coordination & management skills Communications: - Excellent oral and written communication skills in English Personal skills: - Creative, organized, self-motivated & able to work both independently & within a multidisciplinary tea Responsibilities - Model development: Collaborate with research partners in Bern and Zurich to develop multi-compartments OOC systems integrating blood and lymphatic vasculature to investigate COPD pathophysiology - Characterization: Apply expertise in vascular & lymphatic vascular biology to characterize these networks in function of various environmental cues (interstitial pressure,...). - Method development: Design and implement specific functional read-outs and quantitative assays to assess vascularlymphatic interactions - Collaboration & dissemination: work closely with research partners, contribute to publications and present results at international conferences What we offer - A stimulating interdisciplinary research environment linking bioengineering, cell biology and translational medicine - Access to state-of-the-art microfluidic, organs-on-chip and imaging facilities - Opportunities to collaborate with leading experts in vascular and lymphatic biology and COPD - Competitive salary: Based on the regulations of the University of Bern and of the SNSF - A vibrant research setting in Bern, Switzerland’s capital, surrounded by the Aare river and the Bernese Alps How to apply Submit: Motivation Letter, CV + list of publications, name and contact of two references, in a single pdf document to job.ooc.artorg@ unibe.ch (headline: postdoc position, project LYVA) Workplace: ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, Murtenstrasse 50, 3008 Bern, Switzerland Contract duration: 4 years Start: ideally January 2026 (negotiable) The review of applications will start on December 1st, 2025. The position will remain open until it is filled. Apply online In your application, please refer to myScience.ch and referenceJobID68740.