PhD in Neurotechnology: Focused-ultrasound mediated, non-invasive drug delivery to the brain in Zürich

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The ETH Zurich Neurotechnology group (Prof. Mehmet Fatih Yanik) at the Institute of Neuroinformatics is looking for an outstanding PhD student with training in the fields of biomedical engineering, neuroscience, biochemistry related fields. The goal of the project is to use a novel technique recently developed in the Neurotechnology group that utilizes Focused Ultrasound (FUS) for non-invasive, precise drug delivery (see Ozdas, Shah, Johnson et al. 2020, Nature Communications) to explore new routes of treating brain disorders and brain diseases.

The student will advance and use Focused-Ultrasound mediated drug delivery to treat different pathological brain conditions in animal models. Initially, the focus will be on rodent models of treatment-resistant brain tumors and also on neuropsychiatric disorders. The later phase of the project can involve primate work.

The project will involve:

• Chemistry / fabrication of micro-bubbles and loading of drugs into liposomes
• Optimizing the Focused Ultrasound hardware and sequence for targeting specific brain areas
• Behavioral and neurophysiological characterization of cognitive abilities and potential side effects in the animal models
• fMRI-guided targeting, drug delivery and dosing
• Histological analysis of tissue

Applicants should have a Bachelor’s and ideally also Master’s degree in the fields mentioned above or related studies. Essential requirements are experimental/bench experience (e.g., in-vivo experiments, chemistry), good quantitative and analytical skills, solid knowledge of at least one programming language (such as Python or Matlab) and excellent grades. A strong interest in fundamental neuroscience is expected as well as the willingness to perform animal experiments.

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.