Postdoc Lymphatic-Vascular Interplay in COPD using Organs-on-Chip

Postdoc Lymphatic-Vascular Interplay in COPD using Organs-on-Chip University of BernARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research Workplace Bern, Murtenstrasse 50 - Bern region - Switzerland Category Life Sciences | Interdisciplinary / All Categories Position Senior Scientist / Postdoc Duration 4 years Occupation rate 100% Job Start 1.1.2026 (to be discussed) Published 13 November 2025 About the University of Bern The University of Bern is located in the heart of Switzerland. Internationally connected and regionally anchored, it cultivates exchange with society and strengthens partnerships between science, medicine, business, and politics. The University of Bern is committed to a deliberate and ethical responsibility towards people, as well as animate and inanimate nature. As a key educator, promoting enterprise and industry in the region and beyond, it distinguishes itself through problem-oriented research into pressing social issues. The University of Bern is an equal opportunity employer, promotes a healthy work-life balance and safe working environments, and strives to increase the number of women at all levels in its faculties. The ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research is the University of Bern’s transdisciplinary Center of Excellence for medical technology research. Its mission is to tackle unmet clinical needs and envision future challenges in diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment, creating viable healthcare technology solutions with imagination, agility, and purpose. Its projects run from discovery and basic research to clinical translation. The postdoc fellow will be part of the Organs-on-Chip Technologies Lab (Prof. O. Guenat), which 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. Description - 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 vascular-lymphatic interactions. - Collaboration & dissemination: work closely with research partners, contribute to publications and present results at international conferences Requirements 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. 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 students; 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 team 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 Workplace - ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, Murtenstrasse 50, 3008 Bern, Switzerland - Contract duration: 4 years, Start: ideally January 2026 (negotiable) Contact and Address 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) - The review of applications will start on December 1st, 2025. The position will remain open until it is filled. Email E-Mail schreiben Please enable JavaScript to read the address. Web www.artorg.unibe.ch/research/ooc/index_eng.html Apply online [PDF] In your application, please refer to myScience.ch and referenceJobID68725.