Cell Biologist specialist

Introduction

A leading international institution in teaching and research, UNIL employs nearly 5,000 staff members and welcomes 17,000 students, spread across the Dorigny campus and the CHUV and Epalinges sites. As an employer, UNIL promotes excellence, recognition of individuals, and responsibility.
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Presentation

We are developing and optimizing cell lines for downstream applications in venom research. The project involves systematic testing of culture conditions, improving cell viability and secretory function, and characterizing differentiation states using classical and modern cell biology techniques.

Job information

• Starting date: 01.03.2026 or as soon as possible


• Contract duration: 3 months


• Employment rate: 100%


• Work location: Agora, Rue du Bugnon 25A, Lausanne

Your responsibilities

In this role, you will be responsible for:

Cell culture development and optimization:

• Maintain and expand primary cell lines under sterile conditions.


• Perform routine passaging, cryopreservation, thawing, and cell banking.


• Test and compare different basal media and substrates.


• Perform assays to evaluate growth, morphology, and viability under varying culture conditions.


• Monitor secretory activity and phenotype during differentiation.


• Perform IHC / IF staining with markers of differentiation.


• Document and analyze staining results (microscopy imaging).

Experimental design and documentation :

• Plan controlled experiments comparing media, substrates, and differentiation conditions together with the PI.


• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks and sample tracking.


• Summarize results in short reports or slide decks for weekly meetings.

Your qualifications

To complete our team, we are looking for a candidate with the following profile:

• Master Degree in Biology, Biotechnology or related field.


• Minimum 3-year hands-on experience developing and optimizing 2D and 3D culture conditions from primary cells.


• Experience with cell phenotype characterization (immunofluorescence, histology).


• Experience in microscopy and image analysis (e.g., ImageJ/Fiji).


• Ability to design and execute controlled experiments.


• Strong problem-solving skills and meticulous attention to detail.


• Ability to work independently and communicate results clearly.


• Ideally, experience culturing non-mammalian or challenging primary cells, such as epithelial or glandular cell biology.

What the position offers you

A pleasant working environment within a multicultural and diverse academic setting.
Opportunities for continuing education, a wide range of activities, and other benefits to discover.
More information at unil.ch/working-at-unil

Contact for further information

Dr Giulia Zancolli
Tel: +41 21 692 42 45

[email protected]

Your application

28.02.2026

Please submit your complete application file in Word or PDF format.
Only applications submitted via this website will be considered.
Thank you for your understanding.

Additional information

UNIL is committed to:

•    equality, diversity and inclusion within its community;

•    ensuring an open and respectful environment that is conducive to personal development;

•    offering working conditions that facilitate work-life balance;

•    supporting early career researchers.

 

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