Fully funded PhD position: Molecular dissection of epithelium-microbiota crosstalk

Group: Dr. Annika Hausmann (SNSF Ambizione group leader)/Prof. Emma Slack, ETH Zu¨rich Hönggerberg

The intestinal mucosa forms an integral barrier between our bodies and the outside world. Being exposed to a huge variety of metabolites and microbes taken up with our food or stably colonizing the intestine, it is permeable for essential nutrients while serving as a protective barrier to prevent microbial translocation. A tight balance between the intestinal epithelium, immune cells in the underlying tissue and the intestinal microbiota present in the lumen maintains intestinal homeostasis. The impairment of this balance can trigger disease, such as infection, metabolic disorders, and chronic inflammation (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease). The Hausmann group focuses on understanding how these key players interact to maintain intestinal homeostasis, with a special interest in the intestinal epithelium. The intestinal epithelium is in direct contact with the microbiota colonizing the intestinal lumen (e.g. sensing via pattern recognition receptors, uptake of metabolites), yet we know little about the molecular basis of epithelium-microbiota crosstalk and the impact of commensal bacteria on epithelial barrier function.

We offer a fully funded PhD position within the Hausmann group, embedded in the highly interdisciplinary Mucosal Immunology lab headed by Prof. Emma Slack at ETH Zu¨rich (Hönggerberg Campus). The project will make use of state-of-the-art in vivo (gnotobiotic mice) and in vitro (organoids combined with anaerobic bacterial culture) models, (single cell) omics techniques and bioengineering approaches, to characterize the impact of commensal microbes on the intestinal epithelium and dissect the underlying molecular mechanisms in mouse and human.

The Mucosal Immunology group offers regular group and 1-1 meetings; training and mentoring on the skills required for developing towards scientific independence and a strong ethical framework for research. You will have the possibility to lead your research project with a high degree of autonomy and to contribute to collaborative research projects in- and outside the team.

We are looking for an outstanding candidate with high intrinsic motivation, who is passionate about driving and performing research in an interdisciplinary team and can work independently. Experience in at least two of the following areas is required:

• mouse models/animal handling
• tissue/organoid culture work
• (anaerobic) bacterial culture
• microbiology
• bioengineering (hydrogels, microfluidics)
• metabolism and/or mucosal immunology

Additional fundamental scientific research and project management experience will also be considered highly beneficial.

You will be part of an exceptional, dynamic research environment with a strong microbiology, immunology, and epithelial cell biology network at ETH, UZH and strong collaborations with the University of Oxford. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, and will become part of the Microbiology and Immunology (MIM) Graduate School, a PhD program run jointly by ETH and UZH.