Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Analysis and Fate of Synthetic Oligonucleotide Therapeutics in Aquatic Environments (80-100%)

Synthetic oligonucleotides are a rapidly evolving class of nucleic acid-based therapeutics with noticeable increases in market approval rates and the potential to revolutionize precision medicine. Their chemical modifications serve to protect them from enzymatic hydrolysis in the human body, a requirement for ensuring clinical effectiveness. Yet these chemical modifications are likely to also affect the behavior and biological activity of synthetic oligonucleotides after excretion in wastewater treatment plants and aquatic environments. Despite anticipated emissions and potential environmental persistence, there is no observational data on the occurrence, fate, and possible (eco)toxic effects of synthetic oligonucleotides. However, such data is critical for decisions about appropriate environmental risk assessments of this substance class. 

With an interdisciplinary consortium of environmental chemists and molecular biologists from Eawag and ETH Zürich, we seek to pioneer the exposure assessment of synthetic oligonucleotides in aquatic environments at an early stage of their therapeutic deployment. This 2-year study will lay the analytical foundation to monitor and report occurrences and persistence of synthetic oligonucleotides in the environment, a key requirement for evaluating the need for an environmental risk assessment. 

Your tasks: 

1. Develop mass spectrometry-based analytical procedures for mONs 

2. Deploy the established method(s) for determining the occurrence of mONs in 
    environmental samples from potential emission hotspots in Switzerland 

3. Evaluate mON transformation in laboratory (waste)water model systems 

The successful candidate has a PhD in environmental/analytical chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology or a related discipline. You should be experienced in liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HRMS), sample preparation procedures, and the corresponding data evaluation pipelines. Prior experience in HRMS of biomolecules would be advantageous. Proficiency in English is required. Essential competencies include motivation for fundamental research in an environmental context, teamwork, communication, and collaborative skills, interest in advising students, and willingness to engage with regulators and stakeholders. 

At Eawag,we have a working environment in which people with different experiences, strengths, and perspectives can fully contribute and further develop. Here, you can help us advance! We promote genuine participation, exchange, and mutual understanding. We create structures that enable the compatibility of work and other areas of life, such as care work, and continuously make efforts to reduce barriers. 

Do you have specific requirements regarding the application process or the position, or do you need additional information? Talk to us about it - we will be happy to support you with possible flexible working hours and job design solutions. For further information please visit our website about Eawag as well as our conditions of employment. 

Screening of applicants will begin immediately, and decisions will be made as soon as a suitable candidate has been identified. The application period will close on 31 December, 2026 at the latestand the preferred starting date is 1 February 2027. Applications should include a cover letter with a concise statement about your previous education and research experience, your statement of research interests (1-2 pages), a CV, publication list, copies of your academic qualifications, and names and contact information of 3 academic references.

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr Thomas Hofstetter and Prof. Dr. Michael Sander. 

We look forward to receiving your application. Please send it through this webpage, as any other way of applying will not be considered. A click on the button below will take you directly to the application form.