PhD position: Biomedical engineer for drug-releasing hernia repair meshes

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

Our Laboratory for Advanced Fibers in St. Gallen develops functional polymer fibers for medical and technical applications. Together with partners at Bern University hospital and RWTH Aachen University, we are pioneering a new generation of hernia repair meshes with built-in drug-delivery functionality. The goal is to reduce postoperative pain and prevent local infections by integrating melt-spun, liquid-core fibers capable of controlled release of analgesics and antimicrobials.

• Develop liquid-core fibers loaded with pain-relieving and antimicrobial drugs
• Investigate diffusion behavior, mechanical stability, and stimuli-responsive functionality of fibers
• Fabricate and characterize hernia mesh prototypes, including mechanical, thermal, and in-vitro/ex-vivo performance testing
• Collaborate closely with polymer scientists, surgeons, microbiologists, and biomedical engineers
• Present your results in conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals
• Prepare and defend a PhD thesis at RWTH Aachen University

• Master’s degree in biomedical engineering or related disciplines
• Strong interest in medical textiles, biomaterials, and drug-delivery systems
• Practical experience with polymer processing or biomedical testing is an advantage
• You enjoy interdisciplinary teamwork and are motivated to advance translational research at the interface of engineering and medicine
• Fluency in English; German is an asset

We offer an international, highly stimulating research environment with excellent infrastructure for polymer processing, fiber fabrication, and biomedical analysis. You will be based at Empa in St. Gallen (Dr. Edith Perret, principal supervisor) and enrolled as a PhD student at RWTH Aachen University (Prof. Stefan Jockenhövel, doctoral advisor). The expected duration is 4 years, starting as soon as possible or upon mutual agreement.

We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts.

SarahStüdli, Bereichspersonalleiterin / HR Partner