For students interested in semester or master’s projects exploring the highly interdisciplinary work of the lab, centered around the development of novel molecular imaging approaches, please contact Florian Schüder directly.
We are looking for passionate and driven Graduate Students to join the lab, to contribute to interdisciplinary projects centered around the lab’s focus as described above.
The ideal candidate is passionate about multiple — ideally all — of the following areas of research:
- Nanotechnology: Design of new DNA-based imaging probes and the use of DNA origami nanotechnology to benchmark newly developed probes.
- Biochemistry: Design, construction, and validation of novel binders for labeling and imaging cellular proteins, RNA, and DNA.
- Optics & Microfluidics: Development of custom microscopy setups and microfluidic systems to leverage the full potential of smart probe microscopy.
- Computation: Development of new workflows to analyze, interpret, and model the high-dimensional spatial omics data we acquire.
If you are interested, please send your CV, a brief statement of motivation, and ideally two references to Florian Schüder.
Help us build a Molecular Atlas of life.
Come and join us in beautiful Lausanne! Switzerland offers an outstanding environment for scientific research, combining strong funding, an international community, and an exceptional quality of life. The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is one of Europe’s leading research institutions and provides a highly interdisciplinary environment spanning bioengineering, nanotechnology, microscopy, molecular biology, and computational science.
The project
We are looking for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our ERC Starting Grant project, the Molecular Atlas Project (MAP).
One of the major limitations of current spatial omics technologies is that molecular targets generally need to be defined in advance. MAP aims to overcome this limitation by developing new approaches that combine molecular barcoding, advanced microscopy, and sequencing to enable increasingly comprehensive spatial mapping of biological systems.
The postdoctoral researcher will play a central role in developing the core technologies of MAP. The project will progress from controlled DNA nanotechnology-based proof-of-concept experiments toward transcriptome- and proteome-scale applications.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for a curious, creative, and experimentally driven scientist who enjoys developing new technologies and working across traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Candidates should hold, or be close to completing, a PhD in biophysics, bioengineering, molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, nanotechnology, physics, or a related field.
Experience in one or more of the following areas would be particularly valuable:
- DNA nanotechnology, DNA origami, DNA hybridization, or nucleic-acid engineering
- Protein biochemistry, protein–DNA conjugation, or bioconjugation chemistry
- Single-molecule fluorescence, super-resolution microscopy, DNA-PAINT, or spatial omics
- Quantitative image analysis, sequencing analysis, and development of computational workflows
We do not expect candidates to already be experts in all of these areas. More important is a strong background in at least one relevant field, excellent experimental skills, scientific independence, and enthusiasm for learning and combining new technologies.
Because the project sits at the interface of microscopy, DNA nanotechnology, molecular biology, and sequencing, it is particularly well suited to someone who enjoys building something that does not yet exist.
What we offer
You will join a young and highly interdisciplinary research group at EPFL and have the opportunity to take a leading role in an ambitious ERC-funded project.
The position offers substantial scientific freedom, and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to help shape the scientific direction of the project and develop their own research profile within the broader goals of MAP.
You will work closely with researchers spanning microscopy, DNA nanotechnology, molecular biology, protein science, and computational analysis.
The position is funded by the European Research Council through an ERC Starting Grant and is available from February 1, 2027, with some flexibility regarding the exact starting date.
How to apply
If you are interested, please send:
- Your CV
- A brief statement of motivation and research interests
- Ideally, the contact details of two references