PhD student position at the RegenerativeMedicine Technologies Lab, Faculty ofBiomedical Sciences at USI Università della
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) is a young and lively university, a hub of opportunity
open to the world where students are offered a quality interdisciplinary education in which
they can be fully engaged and take center stage, and where our researchers can count on
having the space to freely pursue their initiative.
Established in 1996, USI is in constant evolution, always taking on new challenges while
remaining true to its three guiding principles: quality, openness and responsibility.
The Regenerative Medicine Technologies (RMT) Lab is part of the Laboratories for
Translational Research of Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale located in Bellinzona (Switzerland).
Strategic research areas of the RMT Lab are: in vitro disease modeling through
biofabrication (e.g. age-related diseases, cancer metastases, musculo-skeletal diseases);
design of novel technologies for drug screening; personalized medicine applications using
human tissue biopsies. To promote the advancement of these research areas, the RMT Lab
combines microfluidics and microphysiological systems, 3D (bio)printing and computational
simulations.
The RMT Lab invites applications for a fully funded Ph.D. position in Biomedical Sciences for
conducting research in the project entitled “The dark side of muscular dystrophies:
targeting endothelial-mesenchymal transition in the dystrophic microenvironment
through a biofabricated human muscle-on-a-chip”.
The project
The lab has recently granted funding from the Fondation Suisse de Recherche sur les
Maladies Musculaires. The 3 years project will deal with the identification of biological
The project involves the biofabrication of a human muscle-on-a-chip embedding contractile
muscle bundles and perfusable microvascular networks. Starting from patient-derived cells,
the project aims at dissecting the heterotypic cell-cell interactions occurring within the
dystrophic muscle microenvironment through a combination of high-content imaging and
next-gen sequencing techniques. The lab has access to cutting-edge facilities (e.g. bulk and
single-cell RNAseq; spatial transcriptomics; mass spectrometry; confocal, multi-photon and
electron microscopy) which are shared with the Institute for Research in Biomedicine and the
Institute of Oncology Research within a dynamic, multidisciplinary and collaborative
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The Ph.D. Position
The doctoral student will be enrolled in the PhD track in Biomedical Sciences (PhD
Biomedical Sciences). The doctoral student will work under the scientific supervision of Prof.
Simone Bersini (https://usi.to/bcq9). The successful candidate will be offered the possibility
to work in a dynamic research team and in a multidisciplinary and international scientific
The PhD candidate will collaborate in the development of the institute research agenda. He
or she will have the task of setting up a collection of data for his or her dissertation, while at
the same time participating in a variety of tasks related to the research streams in which
he/she is involved.
The PhD candidate is also asked to present papers at scientific conferences and produce
publications for scientific journals.
Candidates’ profile
Ideal candidates should satisfy the following requirements:
• A Master (or equivalent title) in any Life Sciences or related disciplines including
Bioengineering. Priority given to Muscle Biology or Vascular Biology background.
• High personal interest in organ-on-a-chip, 3D (bio)printing, microfabrication
• Experience with (or strong commitment to learn): cell culture (preferred if 3D cultures with
hydrogels and muscle cells or endothelial cells), imaging (confocal microscopy, preferably
with 3D cultures and using high-content screening systems), standard biological techniques
(qPCR, western blot, elisa, immunofluorescence), design and microfabrication of
microphysiological systems
• Good skills in oral and written English (official language of the Ph.D. program)
• Self-motivation and exceptional commitment to experimental goals and deadlines
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently as well as in a team
• Critical data analysis and troubleshooting
• Effectively communicate experimental data, maintain records and write manuscripts
• Motivation to engage in the elaboration of a PhD dissertation. Interest for teaching and
tutoring students and availability to collaborate with colleagues (engage in scientific dialogue,
listen and think critically) are required.
Contract terms
Admission to the Ph.D. program is highly competitive. Admission decisions are based on the
candidate’s background, interests, attitude and potential for academic achievement.
Successful enrolment in the Ph.D. program and the position as doctoral researcher are not
compatible with a further professional activity.
The successful candidate will work as research assistant at the RMT Lab, and will have the
possibility to interact with an international network of collaborators.
Workplace is RMT Lab, located in Bellinzona, Switzerland. Availability to travel to other parts
of Switzerland and abroad (for purposes of collaboration and research) is required.
Starting date is May 1, 2025 (possibility to anticipate or postpone upon request). The position
will be kept open until a suitable candidate has been found.
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The Application
Applications should contain: (1) a letter in which the applicants describe their research
interests and the motivation to apply, (2) a complete CV, (3) copies of relevant diplomas,
certificates as well as the full transcript of records that prove the candidates’ eligibility for
doctoral studies in Biomedical Sciences, (4) an electronic version of a research work (Master
thesis or other scientific publication). The latter must be accompanied by a short summary in
English (1 page maximum). (5) Two references (support letters are not necessary at this
stage of evaluation).
Please send your application in electronic form or requests for further information to
simone.bersini@eoc.ch (please use the following subject: PhD-Muscle)
USI strives to be an equal opportunity and family friendly employer and is further responsive
to the needs of dual career couples. We guarantee that the selection process will give equal
opportunities to female and male researchers.
As an institution that values diversity, USI particularly encourages applications from women
and from all individuals from underrepresented groups.
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