Institute for Research in Biomedicine
Institute for Research in Biomedicine
Join the team
Before applying for a scientific position at the IRB, you are encouraged to read the following advice:
Having an outstanding CV is a very good start but it is not sufficient to be shortlisted for interview. Your motivation and career plans are crucial, and they will have high impact on the success of your application.
In your motivation email/letter, which should be written in English and directed to the Group Leader of the laboratory that you are interested in joining, you should clearly explain why you want to join the IRB and why the specific research group. Your application should also include the e-mail address of at least two references.
You should wonder not only what the Institute can do for you but also what you can offer to the Institute. Scientists that are training at the IRB are asked to be self-critical and critical towards their peers. We are aiming to train scientists, not task executors. It is expected that individuals work efficiently, more than long hours, even if the former does not exclude the latter.
If you are shortlisted for interview, make sure to prepare for it. Read our website to learn about the specific research group. Read the group’s recent publications and about current projects. Familiarise yourself with research at the Institute that is ongoing in other groups. If your application is in response to a specific advertisement, start thinking about the project and how you would approach it.
In short, applying for a scientific position at the IRB should not be just one of many applications, but one for which you thoroughly prepare.
International PhD Program in Immunology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry
There is no official deadline for applications to the IRB PhD Program: please email your letter of interest and your complete CV, including contact information for references, directly to the relevant Group Leader. See also here for more information.
IRB supports scientists impacted by the war
The IRB stands in sympathy with all those scientists and their families, who are affected by war. In particular, we are supportive of the academics from Ukraine as well as of those from Russia, who speak out against the conflict in Ukraine. If you are a PhD student, postdoc or more senior scientist, who are impacted by the war and working on topics related to the Institute’s research, we encourage you to contact us to inquire for possibilities to be temporarily hosted at the IRB.
Civil Service
Positions as “civilisti” are available at the IRB, for a minimum stay of 3 months. The tasks performed by the civilista and the degree of autonomy will depend on his or her educational qualification and experience. Tasks may involve cell culture, PCR, preparation of reagents or more complex techniques and use of advanced instruments, such as flow cytometry, under the supervision of a PhD student or postdoc. Candidates should directly contact the IRB Group Leader of the laboratory of interest.
Respect
The IRB aims at creating a vibrant, collaborative and inclusive environment, where people safely and freely engage in scientific discussions and discovery. To achieve this goal, interactions among all members of the IRB community should be based at all times on mutual respect. The IRB will not tolerate any inappropriate behaviour that offends personal integrity, personal dignity and hinders equal opportunities. Harassment, bullying, discrimination, threatening behaviours and violence are unacceptable at all levels of employment and the person committing the acts will face consequences, regardless of the status or position. Retaliation against people acting in good faith will also not be tolerated.
If you experience inappropriate behavior at any time, please report it. For more information, please consult your supervisor or HR. The IRB is there for you and will support you.
Gender Equality Plan
The Institute for Research in Biomedicine aims at establishing a culture of respect, promoting diversity and enhancing equal opportunity.
Open positions
There are currently no job vacancies, please check the website at a later date. Prospective interns, students and postdocs may inquire with IRB Group Leaders directly.
PhD student position: “novel mechanisms in autoimmune diseases” in the Group of Prof. G. Guarda
http://www.irb.usi.ch/immune-mechanisms
Our research combines a strong focus on both innate and adaptive immunity, bridging basic to translational questions. A recent interest of the lab lies at the interface between protein quality- control mechanisms and autoimmunity. For this project, we are seeking a highly motivated PhD student (start date: to be defined). The successful candidate will use a variety of approaches, including genetic, mass spectrometric, biochemical, and molecular techniques, as well as translational models.
The Institute for Research in Biomedicine (http://www.irb.ch/home) is a very dynamic Institute with a strong focus on immunology. The institute provides high-level scientific education for students, offering regular seminars by renowned international speakers, courses, and an annual retreat. The PhD program is accomplished in collaboration with University of Svizzera italiana (USI).
Qualifications and requirements:
– The candidate must have a strong background in immunology; previous experience in the
fields of protein quality control and proteostasis are considered an advantage.
– Prior hands-on experience with immunology/molecular biology techniques is a plus.
– Good knowledge of spoken and written English.
Please send your application including CV, letter of motivation, and the names of two referees as a
unique PDF file to:
Email: greta.guarda@irb.usi.ch
Deadline for application is August 31st 2026
A Postdoctoral position is available in the Molecular Immunology lab at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) in Bellinzona, Switzerland, to investigate how RNA-binding proteins and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms shape human T cell function.
Your profile
• You have recently completed, or are close to completing, a PhD in Immunology, Molecular/ Cell Biology, or a related field.
• You are highly motivated, scientifically curious, and able to think independently and take ownership of a research project.
• You have a strong background in molecular/cell biology and/ or immunology. Experience in RNA biology, CRISPR-based approaches and/or functional genomics is an advantage.
• You are fluent in spoken and written English
Project & Environment
• The project will combine mechanistic molecular biology with functional studies in primary human T cells to address fundamental questions in post-transcriptional regulation.
• The lab provides a supportive environment for developing scientific independence, with opportunities to actively shape the direction of the project.
• The IRB offers state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant, welcoming international environment with journal clubs, seminars, and scientific events.
• Bellinzona, located in the Italian-speaking region of southern Switzerland, offers a high quality of life, outdoor activities, and excellent connections to Zurich and Milan.
What we offer
• Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)-aligned salary and conditions.
• Start date: end of 2026/ beginning of 2027.
• Initial one-year contract, renewable.
How to apply
Send a single PDF to silvia.monticelli@irb.usi.ch, containing:
• Motivation letter describing your research interests, why you are interested in our lab,
and your potential contribution to its research
• CV
• Publication list
• Names and email addresses of two referees
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Our research combines a strong focus on innate and adaptive immunity, bridging basic and translational research. A particular interest of the laboratory lies in understanding how antigen specificity shapes T-cell responses in autoimmunity.
For this project, we are seeking a highly motivated PhD student. The successful candidate will investigate autoreactive T-cell responses and identify the antigens and epitopes they recognize. The project will combine cellular immunology with genetic, molecular, biochemical, and mass-spectrometric approaches, as well as translational models and patient-derived samples.
The Institute for Research in Biomedicine (www.irb.usi.ch) is a highly dynamic research institute with a strong focus on immunology. It provides excellent scientific training through seminars by internationally renowned speakers, specialized courses, and an annual retreat. The PhD program is conducted in collaboration with the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI).
Qualifications and requirements
Please contact roger.geiger@irb.usi.ch
