Fixed-term

Project Description Chemical synapses are the fundamental units of communication in the nervous system. They release neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles organized in functionally distinct pools with different activation thresholds: the readily releasable pool (RRP) fuses immediately upon stimulation, the recycling pool sustains ongoing activity, and the reserve pool is mobilized only under prolonged stimulation. The molecular and structural determinants that define these pools, and that regulate the transition of vesicles between them, remain incompletely understood. The PhD project in the group of Prof. Benoît Zuber aims to dissect the molecular composition and three-dimensional architecture of synaptic vesicle pools using cryo-electron tomography of neuronal preparations, combined with affinity labelling approaches (e.g. ferritag) to localize key proteins in situ. We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student who is willing to work interdisciplinary in the field of neuroscience, cryo-electron microscopy / cryo-electron tomography, and image analysis. Your tasks will be: Grow neuronal cell culture, prepare sample for cryo-EM/cryo-ET, acquire data on state-of-the-art electron microscopes, perform 3D image processing and analysis Perform cell biology and electrophysiology experiments on neuronal samples Present your results at national and international conferences Guide a master student after a phase of familiarization Assist in teaching to first- and second-year medical students Requirements Master Degree in life science, biomedical engineering, physics, or similar disciplines Fluency in English Background in image analysis and/or programming are highly appreciated Prior experience with electron microscopy, neuroscience, cell culture, or structural biology is an asset We offer A PhD position, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (project DIMSYNAP), starting 1 August 2026 or upon agreement PhD program of the Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB) Access to cutting-edge cryo-EM and cryo-ET infrastructure A stimulating, cooperative, and supportive environment and close collaboration with international research teams The University of Bern is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all individuals who will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the institution Your Benefits International reputation Strong research infrastructure and international network Collaborative environment and ambitious team Individual career support Your Salary Your annual gross salary for the year 2026 amounts to 50’042 Swiss francs for full-time employment, including the 13th month salary. Working at the University of Bern The University of Bern not only offers exciting tasks but also an environment that actively promotes development, diversity, and equal opportunities. Discover what makes us stand out as an employer and how you can grow with us. Application and Contact Please send a curriculum vitae, list of publications, statement of experience, letter of motivation, letters of reference and contact information of three references per E-Mail to Prof. Benoît Zuber, benoit.zuber@unibe.ch. Questions about the position? Prof. Dr. phil. nat. Benoît ZubereMail: benoit.zuber@unibe.chPhone: +41 31 684 84 40 Questions about the application? Prof. Dr. phil. nat. Benoît ZubereMail: benoit.zuber@unibe.chPhone: +41 31 684 84 40 Apply Now

Start date: January 1, 2027 or by agreement, fixed-term contract The University Veterinary Hospital Zurich is a leader in the field of veterinary medicine. Here, enthusiastic and competent staff work tirelessly to help sick and injured animals from all over Switzerland and neighboring countries. The Small Animal Clinic, part of the Vetsuisse Faculty at the University of Zurich, is seeking to fill a two-year assistant position starting in January 2027. Tasks They provide care for dogs and cats in general internal medicine as well as in the specialized fields of gastroenterology, endocrinology, nephrology/urology, and infectious diseases.Each of these specialties is headed by a senior consultant (Dipl. ACVIM or Dipl. ECVIM-CA). Daily clinical work is carried out in close collaboration and under expert supervision within a dedicated internal medicine team.Furthermore, they actively participate in the clinical training of medical students and support the care of inpatients during weekend shifts. profile We are seeking a motivated individual with a strong interest in internal medicine issues within small animal medicine, a high level of commitment and flexibility, team spirit, and a passion for interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as excellent theoretical knowledge in small animal internal medicine. Practical experience in small animal medicine is an advantage. Our offer:Working in our internal medicine team provides an excellent opportunity to gain clinical experience at a high professional level and can form a valuable foundation for a future residency (ECVIM-CA or ACVIM). In addition to comprehensive clinical training, you will benefit from state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, intensive supervision and individual mentoring, regular journal clubs, roundtables and internal training sessions, scientific work within the framework of a research project, and a dynamic university environment with close interdisciplinary collaboration. Beyond the professional sphere, the position also offers attractive conditions: Zurich is consistently ranked among the cities with the highest quality of life internationally. Despite the comparatively high cost of living in Switzerland, the salary is attractive by international standards and allows for a very good overall standard of living. Application information Please send us your electronic application, including certificates and a cover letter. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We offer Work-life balance Flexible working models (e.g. part-time work, mobile working, job sharing) Childcare at the kihz Foundation of the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich Learning and Development Diverse continuing education opportunities offered by the University of Zurich and the Canton of Zurich Language Centre of the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich Catering Discounted meals in the canteens and cafeterias of the UZH Lunch check card with meal allowance from the University of Zurich Health Special conditions at the Academic Sports Association ASVZ Free seasonal flu vaccinations Relaxation in the Relax Unit Tower Discounts Mobility: Car sharing, car rental, parking Digitization: Devices, programs, mobile subscription Book hotels at attractive prices Employment conditions Principles of the UZH Public sector employment for most UZH employees International Services Support services for people from abroad Locations Campus Zurich Center, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren Locations Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg Further information Questions about the position Prof. Dr. Stefan UntererClinic Director, Clinic for Small Animal Medicine Contact form Apply Now

Wild populations are increasingly exposed to demographic decline and fragmentation, making inbreeding and its consequences a central problem in evolutionary biology and conservation. We address this using one of the most comprehensive datasets available for any vertebrate population: a longterm field study in Switzerland of more than 20,000 wild mice that vary naturally in degree of inbreeding. We aim to quantify inbreeding effects on behaviour, reproductive output, survival and morphology and relate these to genetic loci. The PhD project is embedded in a collaborative framework with network scientists and evolutionary biologists at the University of Zurich and at Columbia University. We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join our research group at the University of Zurich to examine the phenotypic and genetic consequences of inbreeding in a wild mammalian population. Your responsibilities analyse large-scale phenotypic datasets (behaviour, life history, morphology) perform animal experiments on inbreeding develop and apply statistical models collaborate across disciplines (behavioural ecology, network science, genomics) contribute to high-quality publications Your profile fascinated by fundamental questions in evolutionary biology MSc (or equivalent) in evolutionary biology, ecology, animal behaviour, or a related field training in quantitative genetics and behavioural ecology evidence of analytical ability and scientific independence strong quantitative skills, R programming, experience with large datasets project management, teamwork, scientific communication and organisational skills Information on your application The University of Zurich provides an international, English-speaking research environment with excellent infrastructure and strong interdisciplinary links. You will be embedded in an active and collaborative research group with access to a unique long-term dataset and outstanding scientific support. You will benefit from close collaboration with leading groups in network science and genomics. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful working environment. Please submit your application as a single PDF to Anna Lindholm (anna.lindholm@ieu.uzh.ch) by the end of May 2026 including a letter of motivation, CV, academic transcripts, contact details of two referees, and a copy of your MSc thesis, or if not completed, a short summary of it. What we offer Work-Life Balance Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing) Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH Learning and Development Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich Food Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution Healthcare Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ Free seasonal flu vaccinations Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower Discounts Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions Special conditions on hotel reservations Conditions of Employment Policies of the UZH Most UZH staff are employed according to public law International Services Support for people from outside Switzerland Campuses Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg Further information Anna LindholmProf. Dr. Anna Lindholm+41 44 635 52 76 Contact Form Apply Now

The Department of Molecular Life Sciences (DMLS) at the University of Zurich invites ERC Starting Grant applicants to join as Assistant Professors. We are particularly interested in talented scientists that will pursue ambitious, rigorous, and challenging research questions in relevant thematic areas, including but not restricted to – fundamental cell and mechanical biology, multi-omics characterization of developing model systems, or novel computational approaches to multi-scale data integration and inference. Research at DMLS focuses on investigating fundamental principles that regulate the activity of biological systems across scales, from single cells to multicellular organisms and entire ecosystems. By combining experimental, computational, and theoretical approaches, the department aims to uncover the molecular and cellular principles that govern complex biological phenomena. Because of its intrinsically diverse nature, the DMLS offers an inclusive and collaborative environment fostering interdisciplinarity and innovation. Host institution The DMLS will initially act as host institution to support the ERC application of selected candidates. In addition, successful applicants will receive a departmental budget and competitive startup package alongside their ERC funding. In line with the collaborative culture within the department and across the university, we offer a large number of centrally maintained shared resources, including all standard lab and molecular biology equipment, high performance computing (Science IT), access to the Functional Genomics Center Zurich (FGCZ), the Center for Microscopy and Image Analysis (ZMB), as well as the BioVisionCenter (BVC). Although this is not a formal tenure-track position, the department is well positioned to retain successful candidates beyond the grant period and will foster/support the long-term integration of ERC grant holders into the faculty. Apply The submission deadline for ERC Starting Grant applications is expected to be in October 2026.Reference for more information:ERC Starting Grant Information on your application Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, description of research interests with clearly defined future aims (maximum five pages), a CV and the contact details of three referees by May 31st, 2026, to angela.lloyd@mls.uzh.ch. For further information, please contact Christian von Mering. Interviews will take place in July/August 2026, with an initial meeting conducted online and invitation of shortlisted candidates for an onsite in-person visit. What we offer Work-Life Balance Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing) Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH Learning and Development Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich Food Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution Healthcare Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ Free seasonal flu vaccinations Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower Discounts Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions Special conditions on hotel reservations Conditions of Employment Policies of the UZH Most UZH staff are employed according to public law International Services Support for people from outside Switzerland Campuses Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg Further information Questions about the job Prof. Christian von MeringDirector Contact Form Apply Now

The UZH Department of Biochemistry invites applications from candidates intending to apply for an ERC Starting Grant.At the University of Zurich, ERC Starting Grantees have assistant professor status (non-tenure track), and the Department of Biochemistry aims to identify candidates to be supported for the European Research Council application in an interview round similar to the selection process for an assistant professorship. Successful candidates will contribute to the further development of the department in the larger area of molecular and cellular biochemistry and biophysics. Scientists with an interest in computational approaches to address biomolecular questions are particularly encouraged to apply. The applicants are expected to hold a PhD-equivalent degree, have postdoctoral experience and an excellent scientific track record.The Department of Biochemistry has a strong interdisciplinary focus, bridging structural biology, biophysics, and computational sciences with diverse biomedical disciplines including molecular and cell biology, physiology, and pharmacology. It is known for strong research directions in protein engineering, computational biochemistry, membrane protein biophysics, single-molecule spectroscopy, cryo-electron tomography, genome editing, and molecular systems biology, and offers a vibrant research environment with excellent opportunities for collaboration. The University has outstanding scientific infrastructure for biomolecular studies, including access to state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy instrumentation and computational resources. The Department of Biochemistry is an equal opportunities employer and strives to increase the percentage of women scientists in leading positions. Please submit your application with the following documents in a single PDF file: 1. Motivation letter (max. 2 pages) 2. CV (max. 3 pages) including the following information, if applicable: Education and academic experience. Net academic age (2-7 years of experience since completion of PhD) Prizes, fellowships and acquired third-party funds. 3. Research plan, publication list and teaching statement (max. 5 pages) Planned research project for the starting grant etc., including references to relevant own publications (if applicable). Publication list. Teaching portfolio and information about supervision of students (if applicable). 4. Reference lettersPlease arrange for two reference letters to be submitted to the same email address. The deadline for application is June 18th, 2026 via recruitment@bioc.uzh.ch Selected candidates will be invited for online interviews on end of June/ beginning of July. The call for the ERC Starting Grant applications is already open with the deadline set for October 14, 2026. The anticipated start date of the position is beginning of 2028. What we offer Work-Life Balance Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing) Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH Learning and Development Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich Food Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution Healthcare Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ Free seasonal flu vaccinations Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower Discounts Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions Special conditions on hotel reservations Conditions of Employment Policies of the UZH Most UZH staff are employed according to public law International Services Support for people from outside Switzerland Campuses Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg Further information Questions about the job Iris RothäuslerManager of the Department Contact Form Apply Now

The Institute of Veterinary Anatomy represents macroscopic and microscopic anatomy as well as embryology and developmental biology of domestic mammals in teaching and research.A particular research focus lies on the comparative and species-specific aspects of reproductive biology and endocrinology in domestic mammals. Through this, the institute makes a significant contribution to understanding key biological processes, including embryo-maternal communication, placental function, and the mechanisms of birth induction. Your responsibilities The Group of Reproductive Biology of the Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich www.vetanat.uzh.ch is looking for a candidate for a doctoral position in the field of comparative reproductive endocrinology. Highly motivated graduate students with vet-med degree, interested in reproductive endocrinology, are welcomed to apply for this position. The SNSF (Swiss National Science Foundation)-funded project investigates the molecular mechanisms of hypoxia and HIF1α signaling in steroidogenic cells, with a focus on granulosa and Leydig cells.Steroidogenesis is a tightly regulated process essential for reproductive function, and its dysregulation contributes to a range of clinical conditions affecting gonad activity. Hypoxia and HIF1α-mediated pathways have recently emerged as integral components of the signaling networks regulating steroid hormone production. Novel regulatory mechanisms described in our research group emphasize the need for further investigations into the complex role of hypoxic signaling in the steroidogenic process (for more details see: https://drive.switch.ch/index.php/s/kchZFSdzPhqHX1g). The acquired knowledge could potentially refine current models of physiological steroidogenesis and identify molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of steroid hormone-related clinical/pathological conditions. The opportunity to perform doctoral/PhD work, training in molecular- and cell-biology methods, dedicated international team and support of experienced young scientists, pleasant working environment in Zurich. Your profile Working on the research project (molecular and cell culture laboratory work), writing a dissertation Contribution to anatomical dissection courses for vet-med students is expected Good command in English, willingness to learn German (if language knowledge not yet available) The successful candidate will contribute to the collaborative atmosphere with good team spirit in the lab Information on your application Please, send an email including your application, CV and a short description of your research interests, combined into one PDF file, until June 15th, 2026. What we offer Work-Life Balance Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing) Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH Learning and Development Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich Food Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution Healthcare Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ Free seasonal flu vaccinations Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower Discounts Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions Special conditions on hotel reservations Conditions of Employment Policies of the UZH Most UZH staff are employed according to public law International Services Support for people from outside Switzerland Campuses Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg Further information Questions about the job Mariusz KowalewskiHead of the Institute, Professor of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Contact Form Questions about the application procedure Mariusz KowalewskiHead of the Institute, Professor of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology Contact Form Apply Now