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🧬 PhD Position – Infection Biology & Biomedical Materials | AO Research Institute Davos
Institution: AO Research Institute Davos (ARI) / University of Fribourg
📍 Location: Davos, Switzerland
💼 Position Available: PhD Candidate (100%) – Infection Biology & Biomedical Materials
🔬 Research Area: Infection Biology | Microbiology | Immunology | Biomedical Materials | Host–Pathogen Interactions | Antimicrobial Strategies | Translational Research
The AO Research Institute Davos (ARI) is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate for the Infection Biology and Biomedical Materials Focus Areas in Davos, Switzerland. The position is part of the PREPARE project (Programmable Release of Prophylactic Antibacterial & Response-Enhancing agents), an interdisciplinary initiative focused on preventing fracture-related infections and developing next-generation therapeutic strategies.
The PhD project will combine infection biology, immunology, microbiology, and biomaterials research to investigate early infection events and develop innovative approaches for localized infection prevention.
🔬 What You’ll Work On
Infection Biology & Fracture-Related Infection
Investigate the early events involved in fracture-related infection (FRI), with a particular focus on bacterial survival and host immune responses following trauma.
Bacterial Aggregation & Antibiotic Tolerance
Study mechanisms that enable bacterial pathogens, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, to survive in the surgical environment, including:
- Bacterial aggregation
- Fibrin encapsulation
- Antibiotic tolerance
- Early infection establishment
Neutrophil–Bacteria Interactions
Characterize interactions between primary human neutrophils and bacterial pathogens, including:
- Phagocytosis
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production
- Bacterial killing
- Neutrophil antibacterial function
Immunomodulatory Compounds
Identify and evaluate small-molecule immunomodulators capable of enhancing neutrophil antibacterial activity and improving host defense against infection.
3D Infection Models
Establish and optimize advanced 3D in vitro infection models, including models of staphylococcal abscess communities, to better understand infection establishment and bacterial survival.
Biomedical Materials & Infection Prevention
Contribute to the development of next-generation responsive biomaterials designed for localized infection prevention and controlled therapeutic responses.
Advanced Experimental Techniques
Apply advanced techniques including:
- Cell culture and co-culture
- Confocal microscopy
- Flow cytometry
- Molecular assays
- Immunological assays
- Advanced imaging approaches
🎯 Ideal Candidates
Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in Microbiology, Infection Biology, Immunology, or a related life science discipline.
Candidates should have:
- Practical experience in microbiology and/or host–pathogen interaction studies.
- Experience with cell culture and immunological assays.
- Familiarity with techniques such as flow cytometry and microscopy.
- Strong interest in infection biology, innate immunity, and translational research.
- Ability to independently design, plan, and execute experimental studies.
- Excellent communication skills in English.
- Motivation to work in a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment.
Additional Desirable Skills
Experience or knowledge in:
- Primary immune cells, particularly neutrophils
- 3D cell culture or infection models
- Bacterial physiology
- Antibiotic tolerance
- Biofilms
- Advanced imaging
- Transcriptomic approaches
- Translational research
- Biomaterials-based therapeutic strategies
🌟 What You’ll Gain
- Opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in infection biology and biomedical materials.
- Hands-on experience with host–pathogen interaction studies.
- Training in advanced 3D infection models.
- Experience working with primary human immune cells and bacterial pathogens.
- Exposure to confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and molecular assays.
- Opportunity to investigate novel immunomodulatory approaches to infection prevention.
- Experience at the interface of infection biology and bioengineering.
- Collaboration with an interdisciplinary international research team.
- Access to modern research infrastructure at the AO Research Institute Davos.
🧪 Research Focus
The PREPARE project addresses the clinical challenge of fracture-related infection by investigating the earliest events that enable bacterial survival in the surgical field.
The project aims to:
- Define the earliest events enabling bacterial survival, including aggregation, fibrin encapsulation, and antibiotic tolerance.
- Identify small-molecule immunomodulators that enhance neutrophil antibacterial activity.
- Contribute to the development of responsive biomaterials for localized infection prevention.
The PhD candidate will work at the intersection of infection biology, innate immunity, microbiology, and biomedical materials.
💼 Position Details
Position: PhD Candidate (100%)
Research Focus: Infection Biology & Biomedical Materials
Project: PREPARE – Programmable Release of Prophylactic Antibacterial & Response-Enhancing Agents
Institution: AO Research Institute Davos
Location: Davos, Switzerland
University: University of Fribourg
Department: Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science and Medicine
Supervision: Infection Biology, Biomedical Materials and University of Fribourg research teams
Research Areas: Infection Biology | Microbiology | Immunology | Host–Pathogen Interactions | Biomedical Materials | Translational Research
📄 How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply according to the official recruitment process of the AO Research Institute Davos.
The PhD student will be formally enrolled at the University of Fribourg.
Applicants should be prepared to provide relevant academic and research documentation, including evidence of their qualifications and research experience.
📌 Job Details
Institution: AO Research Institute Davos (ARI)
University: University of Fribourg
Position: PhD Candidate
Employment: 100%
Location: Davos, Switzerland
Project: PREPARE
Research Areas: Infection Biology | Microbiology | Immunology | Biomedical Materials | Host–Pathogen Interactions
Qualification: Master’s degree in Microbiology, Infection Biology, Immunology, or related life science discipline
Key Skills: Cell Culture | Flow Cytometry | Microscopy | Immunological Assays | Microbiology | Host–Pathogen Interaction | 3D Infection Models
Additional Skills: Neutrophil Biology | Biofilms | Antibiotic Tolerance | Advanced Imaging | Transcriptomics
Application Mode: Official application process
Enrollment: University of Fribourg
Category
PhD Position | PhD Candidate | Infection Biology | Microbiology | Immunology | Biomedical Materials | Host–Pathogen Interactions | Cell Biology | Translational Research | Infection Research | Immunology Research | Switzerland Jobs | University Jobs | Life Science Jobs
🏷️ Tags
#PhD #PhDPosition #InfectionBiology #Microbiology #Immunology #BiomedicalMaterials #HostPathogenInteractions #ImmunologyResearch #MicrobiologyJobs
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