ERC-Funded PhD Position (100%) in Bone Mechanomics using CRISPR/Cas9 in the Aging Mouse in Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. It is renowned for its excellent education, its cutting-edge fundamental research and its efforts to put new knowledge and innovations directly into practice. The Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics headed by Prof. Ralph Müller at the Department of Health Sciences & Technology, Institute for Biomechanics at ETH Zurich is offering an

The project is part of an ERC Advanced project (MechAGE) focusing on in vivo single cell mechanomics of bone adaptation and regeneration in the aging mouse. The aim of the PhD project is to characterize a novel CRISPR/Cas9-based fluorescent reporter mouse model and to establish RNA-sequencing approaches for single bone cells.

Osteoporosis, one of the most prevalent degenerative diseases, is characterized by a reduction in bone mass and increased fracture risk and has been partly attributed to the decrease in mechanical usage of the skeleton. However, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. By combining molecular biological technologies (RNA-sequencing, CRISPR/Cas9) with computational methods (micro-CT, micro-FE), MechAGE will allow for a systems level understanding of bone adaptation and regeneration required for the development of novel targeted therapies.

The PhD position will be focusing on the biological aspects of the MechAGE project: Fluorescent reporter mice will be used to allow visualization of different bone cells for isolation by laser-capture-microdissection and subsequent single cell analyses. The candidate will phenotype the mouse model and establish a protocol for single cell RNA-sequencing from bone sections. To link the transcriptome of single cells to their local 3D mechanical micro-environment, micro-FE analysis based on time-lapsed in vivo micro-CT data will be performed in collaboration with team members working on the computational parts of the MechAGE project. For the biological work packages of the highly interdisciplinary MechAGE project, we currently offer a PhD position enrolled in the graduate program at ETH Zurich.

We look forward to receiving your online application including motivation letter, CV, full university transcripts and names and contact details of two references. Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.