PhD student in Engineering Organs-on-Chip for Lymphatic–Vascular Studies (100%)

PhD student in Engineering Organs-on-Chip for Lymphatic–Vascular Studies

Published 13 November 2025

About the University of Bern

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.

Its projects run from discovery and basic research to clinical translation.

• Model development: Collaborate with research partners in Bern and Zurich to develop multi-compartments OOC systems integrating blood and lymphatic vasculature with key mechanical cues of the lung microenvironment
• Characterization: Design chips based on microfluidic and physical principles, fabricate & optimize using state-of-the-art microfabrication techniques and characterize chip performance (fluidics, mechanics, and reproducibility).
• 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

MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Microsystem Engineering or a related field

Scientific Expertise & Technical Skills:

• Microfluidics: Strong theoretical and practical understanding of fluid dynamics, fluidic circuit design, and numerical simulation (e.g., COMSOL Multiphysics or ANSYS) and experience in designing, optimizing and validating microfluidic systems for biological applications
• Microfabrication & CAD: Strong engineering intuition and hands-on experience in developing and prototyping novel microfluidic systems (e.g., soft lithography, 3D printing) with experience in CAD-based device design and experimental validation
• Cell culture: Practical experience with cell culture in microfluidic systems, including co-culture approaches, and skilled in fluorescence microscopy and image analysis for functional read-outs of microphysiological systems
• Software: Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or R for data analysis, and automation of experimental workflows

• 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
• The successful PhD candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB)
• Salary according to the SNSF regulations
• A vibrant research setting in Bern, Switzerland’s capital, surrounded by the Aare river and the Bernese Alps

• ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, Murtenstrasse 50, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
• Contract duration: 4 years, Start: ideally January 2026 (negotiable)

Contact and Address

• 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: PhD 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

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Web

www.artorg.unibe.ch/research/ooc/index_eng.html

Apply online [PDF]

In your application, please refer to myScience.ch and referenceJobID68726.