The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. We perform cutting-edge research in the fields of future technologies, energy and climate, health innovation and fundamentals of nature. By performing fundamental and applied research, we work on sustainable solutions for major challenges facing society, science and economy. PSI is committed to the training of future generations. Therefore, about one quarter of our staff are post-docs, post-graduates or apprentices. Altogether, PSI employs 2300 people. 

The Structure and Mechanics of Advanced Materials Groupat PSI within the Center for Photon Science performing researchon structural and mechanical properties of diverse soft matter systems, including samples of biological origin, as well as of metals and alloys. We are actively developing and applying various X-ray and neutron scattering, diffraction and imaging methods working closely together with various beamlines at SLS and SINQ. For this group, we are looking for a

PhD Student in X-ray imaging - Multiscale characterization of mineralized biological tissue

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Your tasks

  • Investigate mineralized biological tissues including bone but also more exotic samples in international collaborations, such as shark centra and narwhal tusk
  • Develop and apply Python-based X-ray imaging analysis tools, in collaboration with the research group
  • Help to design and conduct X-ray characterization experiments on mineralized biological tissue, in particular small-angle X-ray scattering tensor tomography
  • Publish results in scientific journals and present findings at international conferences

Your profile

  • Master’s degree in Biology, Physics, Computational Science, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science or related fields
  • Good communication skills in English
  • Experience with programming in Python is considered an asset
  • Interest in interdisciplinary research linking between biology, computational tools and X-ray methods
  • You will be enrolled in the doctoral school of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne EPFL

We offer

Our institution is based on an interdisciplinary, innovative and dynamic collaboration. You will profit from a systematic training on the job, in addition to personal development possibilities and our pronounced vocational training culture. If you wish to optimally combine work and family life or other personal interests, we are able to support you with our modern employment conditions and the on-site infrastructure.

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr Marianne Liebi, email marianne.liebi@psi.ch or by phone +41 56 310 44 38.

Please submit your application online by 30 October 2024 (including addresses of referees) for the position as an PhD Student (index no. 6317-00).

Paul Scherrer Institute Human Resources Management, Alina Rao, 5232 Villigen, PSI, Switzerland