This text serves as a promotional piece and detailed job advertisement for Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology. It begins with a series of testimonials from current employees and researchers who praise Empa's collaborative international work environment, its role as an incubator for innovation, its cutting-edge research facilities, and its significant contributions to society in fields like energy, health, and mobility.
The core of the document is a job posting for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Biology or Data Science. The position is within the 'Particles-Biology Interactions' laboratory in St. Gallen. The project focuses on developing novel computational approaches to improve the safety and sustainability of nanomaterials, utilizing machine learning and omics data to create alternatives to animal testing. The advertisement outlines the specific tasks, the required candidate profile (including a PhD and strong programming skills), and the benefits offered, such as a two-year contract, career development support, and a strong international network. The text concludes by reiterating Empa's values as an inclusive and supportive employer.
Empa: A Hub for Innovation and a Career Opportunity in Computational Biology
Why Work at Empa?: The transcript opens with testimonials highlighting Empa's key strengths, including a positive and international work environment, cutting-edge research that addresses major industrial and societal challenges, first-class equipment, and a strong commitment to sustainability, innovation, and equal opportunities.
The Job Opening: Postdoctoral Researcher: Empa is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher with a background in Computational Biology or Data Science for its 'Particles-Biology Interactions' lab in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Project Focus: Safe and Sustainable Materials: The role involves developing new computational tools to assess and improve the safety and sustainability of (nano)materials. A key goal is to integrate novel methods, based on omics data and machine learning, to replace traditional animal testing.
Candidate Profile and Requirements: The ideal candidate will have a PhD in Computational Biology, Life Cycle Assessment, or a related field. Required skills include strong programming, statistical knowledge, and machine learning expertise. Familiarity with "Safe and Sustainable by Design" methods and experience with omics data are considered beneficial.
Position Details and Offer: The position is a two-year contract available from November 2025 or upon mutual agreement. The offer includes a highly interdisciplinary research environment, career development support, a strong international network, and an affiliation with the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics.
Application Process: Candidates must apply exclusively through Empa's online job portal. The application should include a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas, and contact details for two references. Email or postal applications will not be considered.