Postdoc: AAV Capsid Engineering with Generative AI
100%, Basel, fixed-term
The highly competitive Bio-Engineering Systems for Therapeutics (BEST) postdoc program, part of the Next-gen Bioengineers initiative, is jointly run by ETH Zurich and Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED). This program focuses on developing new tools and methods to tackle challenges in medicine and therapeutic development.
Project Background
Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) serve as a leading platform for gene therapy; however, their clinical potential is often limited by factors such as sub-optimal tissue tropism, pre-existing human immunity, and low manufacturing yields. This project aims to develop and implement state-of-the-art generative models in protein design to enhance AAV manufacturing properties.
Job Description
- Generative Modeling: Develop and implement advanced computational workflows to design novel AAV capsids.
- Dry-to-Wet: Lead the computational design process and actively participate in the validation of your designs in the wet lab (e.g., library construction, viral production, NGS-based screening).
- Structural Analysis: Utilize computational structural biology tools to ensure designs maintain assembly competence and structural integrity.
- Data Integration: Process and analyze high-throughput experimental data to iteratively refine generative models.
- Collaboration: Work at both Roche pRED and ETH Zurich D-BSSE (located in Basel) to translate AI-driven designs into improved AAV vectors.
Profile
- PhD degree or equivalent in computational biology, bioinformatics, bio-ML, or a related quantitative field (required).
- Hybrid mindset: a strong interest in applying computational biology to solve translational challenges; experience with AAVs is welcome but not necessary.
- Generative AI: hands-on experience with modern generative models for proteins (required).
- Interdisciplinary drive: a high motivation to work at the intersection of wet and dry lab work, with a willingness to be trained in experimental validation techniques.
- Communication: excellent oral and written communication skills in English, with the ability to bridge the gap between ML concepts and experimental molecular biology.
Workplace
You will be working within a dynamic and innovative environment that fosters collaboration between academia and industry.
We Offer
- End-to-End Research Ownership: The unique opportunity to manage the entire process from in silico design through to experimental validation.
- Innovation: A stimulating and collaborative research setting at the intersection of academia (ETH) and industry (Roche).
- Mentorship: Dual supervision from principal investigators at ETH Zurich and Roche.
- Infrastructure: Full access to world-class facilities at both the Roche and ETH Zurich campuses in Basel.
- Development: A fully funded 2-year fellowship including dedicated support for networking and career development.
We Value Diversity and Sustainability
In line with our mission, ETH Zurich promotes an inclusive culture that values diversity and nurtures a respectful working and learning environment for all staff and students. Our commitment to sustainability drives us towards a climate-neutral future.
Curious? So Are We!
We invite you to apply online using the form below. Please ensure that your application includes the following documents as a single PDF:
- A letter of motivation (max 1 page).
- CV (max 2 pages).
- Full list of publications.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Brief statement of research interests (max 1 page).
- Copy of your original doctoral degree certificate if already obtained.
Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
For any questions, please reach out to both Prof. Dr. Basile Wicky at basile.wicky@bsse.ethz.ch and Dr. Denis Phichith at denis.phichith@roche.com.
For more information about the Next-gen Bioengineers postdoctoral program, please visit the Next-gen Bioengineers website.
About ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich is among the world's leading universities specializing in science and technology, renowned for excellent education, cutting-edge research, and the direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries find our university a place that encourages independent thinking and fosters an inspiring environment for excellence.