PhD Position in Digital Twins of Embryonic Development

About the role

The Computational Biology Group (Prof Dagmar Iber) at D-BSSE develops digital twins of embryonic development using image-based mechanistic modelling and simulation. Organogenesis depends on tightly coordinated cell signalling, growth and mechanics, and the group combines quantitative imaging data with mathematical and computational models to understand how tissues self-organise and how this goes wrong in disease. This PhD position focuses on developing mathematical and computational models of mouse and human development.

Key responsibilities

• Develop data-based, mechanistic models and simulations of tissue development
• Integrate quantitative imaging data from experimental collaborators into the models
• Publish results and present them at international conferences
• Contribute to the group's open-source simulation tools and to teaching

Required profile

• A Master's degree
• Solid understanding of developmental, cell and molecular biology, and ability to interpret experimental and imaging data
• Experience in mathematical modelling, for example with ordinary or partial differential equations, dynamical systems or stochastic models, gained through coursework, a thesis or a project
• Programming experience in a language such as Matlab, Julia, Python or R
• Good written and spoken English

Experience with finite element methods (e.g. COMSOL) and C++ is not required.

What we offer

• An interdisciplinary, international research environment at the interface of mathematics, computing and biology
• Close collaboration with leading experimental groups
• Excellent infrastructure and computing resources at ETH Zurich
• Support for scientific development, including conference travel and training
• Competitive ETH doctoral salary and conditions

Applications are submitted online through the university's application portal, with a letter of motivation, CV, BSc and MSc diplomas and transcripts, and contact details of two referees; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.