Postdoc Position: Immuno-Assay Development for a Portable, Electrochemical Lateral Flow Assay for COVID-19 in Zürich

100%, Zurich, temporary

The recent pandemic outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 is demonstrating the vulnerability of our globalized society for such threats. Governments around the globe were forced to implement counter measures that put a high burden on the public life and our economy. One of the main reasons for the need for such measures are inadequacies of our current disease detection system. State-of-the-art systems, although very accurate, are too slow and too expensive to effectively detect infected subjects and help to prevent the spreading of a pandemic disease on a societal level. Within this project, we will develop a rapid test system, based on lateral flow assays, with improved sensitivity, while maintaining the point-of-need principle. This new test is a unique tool with a high potential to dramatically impact the spreading of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, and to decrease mortality and the high economic burden of pandemic diseases.

This 30-month scientific Postdoc project represents an excellent opportunity for original research at the interface of academia and industry. The focus is the immuno-assay development for the COVID-19 test based on our novel electrochemical readout technology for lateral flow assays. The project is embedded in a collaboration of the Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics (LBB) at ETH Zürich, the University Hospital Basel, the pre-launch Startup Hemetron, SuSoS and konplan ag. It furthermore includes supporting the device development, the test validation and clinical support as well as supporting the regulatory documentation.

You will have the chance to communicate your results to the scientific community and to work in an innovative, highly collaborative, and energetic environment on a highly impactful project at the interface of academic research and startup development. The position is fully funded by the Botnar Foundation for a 30-month period.

• As you will be embedded and interacting with an interdisciplinary team of researchers and entrepreneurs at the ETH Zürich, excellent team skills, the ability and willingness to work towards a common goal and excellent English skills are a must-have.
• The position requires a PhD degree in science, preferably in a related field (organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, electrochemistry) and a track record documenting experience in immuno-assay development.
• You should have hands-on know-how in working in a chemical laboratory, planning and conducting scientific experiments.
• Know-how in the fields of lateral flow assays, nanoparticle conjugation, electrochemistry, electrode printing, regulatory documentation and quality management systems is a plus.

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.