Postdoc Position in Multiphoton Intravital Imaging

Offer Description

Postdoc Position in Multiphoton Intravital Imaging

11 March 2026 - 22:59 UTC

The Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics (LBB) at the Institute for Biomechanics at ETH Zurich is offering a Postdoc position in multiphoton intravital imaging of heterotopic ossification and bone fracture healing. This position is embedded within the SNSF Sinergia project SLIHI4

BONE (; project start 01.04.2023; collaboration partners: M. Bohner, RMS Foundation, Bettlach; R. Müller, ETH Zurich;

E. Wehrle, ARI Davos) focusing on a newly–proposed mechanism explaining the formation of bone in soft tissue, also called heterotopic ossification (doi:
10.1016/j.mattod.). According to this mechanism, tissue mineralisation may provoke a sustained local ionic homeostatic imbalance (SLIHI) and this local decrease in extracellular calcium may modulate inflammation to trigger bone formation. The general project aim is to assess the validity of this mechanism and use it for healing large bone defects.

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a very common and sometimes highly debilitating pathology characterised by the formation of mature bone in soft tissues. The underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood and therapies to prevent and heal HO are of low efficiency. It is not uncommon that bone has to be removed surgically. This formation of bone in soft tissue is the result of an osteoinductive process during which stem cells are differentiated into bone cells.

This property is essential to treat large bone defects. Currently, osteoinduction can be achieved by the implantation of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), but the safety of BMPs has been questioned. Another approach is to implant osteoinductive bone graft substitutes; however, their potency is low and the underlying mechanisms remain debated. Demonstrating that a low extracellular calcium concentration is key in triggering bone formation and gaining a better understanding of this process could open up new opportunities for the design of potent osteoinductive bone graft substitutes and the treatment of impaired bone healing.

Within the project we have recruited three PhD students focusing on material science, advanced in‑vivo imaging and computation, and in‑vivo molecular biology. The Postdoc position (LBB, ETH Zurich) will focus on further development of our multiphoton intravital imaging technology. This multidisciplinary team setup will allow us to design calcium phosphate materials with controlled architecture and composition, and to assess their rate of mineralisation in vitro and in vivo.

The level of extracellular calcium and the tissue response around the materials will be followed by multimodal approaches including time‑lapsed in‑vivo imaging, multiphoton intravital microscopy, spatial transcriptomics and proteomics.

We are looking for a motivated Postdoc to join the Institute for Biomechanics at ETH Zurich. You will closely interact with the Sinergia collaboration partners at RMS Foundation and ARI Davos.

• Development of intravital imaging protocols for HO and impaired bone healing using time‑lapse micro‑computed tomography and multiphoton microscopy
• Extension of intravital imaging technology to include ratio metric imaging for the quantification of bone marrow interstitial pH and calcium concentrations

• PhD degree in physics or biophysics
• Experience in intravital imaging as demonstrated by first‑author publications is required
• Previous experience with ratio metric imaging is advantageous
• Previous experience with in‑vivo animal models is advantageous
• Excellent communication skills in English (oral and written) are a must
• High motivation, strong interest in skeletal research, durability to cope with challenges
• Ability to solve complex tasks in a highly independent manner
• Familiarity with a cross‑cultural/interdisciplinary environment is an advantage

• Your job with impact:
  Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development but also actively contributes to positive change in society
• An…