PhD position: Biomedical engineer for drug-releasing hernia repair meshes
Empa, Materials Science and Technology
St. Gallen
Key information
- Publication date:22 October 2025
- Workload:100%
- Contract type:Permanent position
- Place of work:St. Gallen
Job summary
Empa is a leading research institution in materials science. Join us to advance innovative biomedical engineering solutions.
Tasks
- Develop advanced liquid-core fibers for drug delivery.
- Investigate mechanical stability and functionality of fibers.
- Collaborate with experts and present findings at conferences.
Skills
- Master’s degree in biomedical engineering or related fields.
- Interest in medical textiles and biomaterials essential.
- Fluency in English; knowledge of German is a plus.
Is this helpful?
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.
PhD position: Biomedical engineer for drug-releasing hernia repair meshes
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.
Your tasks
- 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
Your profile
- 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
Our offer
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.
We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.
