About the lab and your mission

Deplancke Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics (EPFL)

The Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics, led by Prof. Bart Deplancke, is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to contribute to the development of the next-generation Live-seq instrument, an advanced microfluidic platform that integrates droplet microfluidics with fluidic force microscopy (FluidFM) for continuous, high-throughput single-cell biopsy and live-cell transcriptomics.

Live-seq relies on FluidFM to extract minute quantities of cytoplasmic fluid from living cells for downstream high-sensitivity RNA sequencing, enabling non-destructive, spatio-temporal transcriptome profiling of single cells. Your work will help transition Live-seq from a low-throughput, operator-dependent method into a robust, automated, high-throughput technology with transformative applications in biology, medicine, and drug discovery.

Main duties and responsibilities

As a PhD Student, you will be expected to:

• Have full responsibility for your own dissertation
• Research in close collaboration with industry partners
• Experiment design and execution
• Analyze and interpret experimental results
• Write scientific articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Present at international conferences
• Participate in education and supervise student projects

More specifically, within this project, you will:

• Design, assemble, and optimize a microfluidic module that integrates picoliter droplet microfluidics with next-generation MEMS nanofluidic cantilever probes for continuous cytoplasmic sampling using FluidFM.
• Integrate this micro–nanofluidic module with MEMS cantilever probes from the Fantner lab and with the semi-automated FluidFM system, pressure-control units, and automated sample-dispensing stage developed by Cytosurge, creating a seamless operational platform.
• Perform iterative testing, troubleshooting, and refinement to deliver a robust prototype suitable for routine biological experiments.
• Conduct temporal Live-seq validation experiments using an established cell-differentiation model, benchmarking throughput, transcriptome quality, sensitivity, and overall system performance.
• Document results, present findings to collaborators, and contribute to scientific publications.

Profile

• A MSc degree
• Background in bioengineering, mechanical or chemical engineering, biophysics, microfluidics/nanofluidics, or a related discipline.
• Strong motivation to work at the interface of fluidics, instrumentation, system integration, and cutting-edge single-cell biology.
• Prior experience with micro or nanofluidics and pressure-driven flow systems is strongly valued.
• Organized, proactive, and comfortable working both independently and within a collaborative team.
• Enthusiasm, scientific curiosity, eager to learn, good organizational skills, rigor in experimental work.
• High level of motivation for academic research work.
• Fluency in English is essential [French / German / Italian would be an asset].

We offer

• Excellent working conditions in a multidisciplinary, world-class research environment.
• Direct involvement in the development of a transformative single-cell technology.
• A uniquely collaborative setting spanning the Deplancke lab (pioneers of Live-seq), the Fantner lab (leaders in MEMS probe engineering), and Cytosurge AG (developers of FluidFM).

Informations

The selection process involves multiple stages, and short-listed candidates will be requested to apply to the Doctoral Program in Biotechnology and Bioengineering (EDBB) to qualify for a PhD at EPFL.
Please check this page for additional information on admission.

Please note that this is a separate application process necessary to be eligible to complete your PhD at EPFL.

Your application should contain:

• A motivation Letter
• Your detailed CV
• Contact information
• The names and contact information of 3 references willing to write a recommendation letter

Application deadline: 15/02/2026

Contract Start Date: 01/04/2026

Activity Rate: 100.00

Contract Type: CDD

Reference: 1941

For more information, please contact: orane.guillaume-gentil@epfl.ch