Student Projects
Volumetric Bioprinting of Perfusable Scaffolds for Mammary Tissue Engineering
Background: Collagen, the most abundant structural protein in the extracellular matrix, is essential for tissue architecture, integrity, and cell function. Its biocompatibility makes it attractive for tissue engineering. Volumetric 3D printing (see attached image) enables the rapid fabrication of complex, cell-friendly scaffolds with high resolution. In this project, the student will bioprint tissue constructs that mimic native architecture and function, including mammary tissue, using collagen based materials and volumetric printing. Further the student will work on advancing our culture platforms from static systems to dynamic, flow-integrated models . The project will build on the lab’s current expertise in volumetric bioprinting and in collagen-based material design: • Volumetric printed biomimetic scaffolds support in vitro lactation of human milk-derived mammary epithelial cells. A. Hasenauer et al. Science Advances, 2025 • Rapid Deep Vat Printing Using Photoclickable Collagen-Based Bioresins. M. Winkelbauer et al. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2025 We are looking for a motivated student, and experience with the following would be an advantage: • Experience in CAD design (e.g. Fusion 360) • Basic coding/programming skills (e.g., Python or MATLAB) for data analysis Preferred Duration: 6 months This thesis offers an exciting opportunity to combine cutting-edge volumetric bioprinting technology with advanced collagen scaffold design, building on the lab’s strong foundation in bioprinting and biomaterials research.
Keywords
Volumetric Printing Collagen Tissue engineering Mammary Tissue Perfusion
Labels
Internship , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
Goal
Contact Details
More information
Published since: 2025-09-14 , Earliest start: 2025-10-06 , Latest end: 2026-07-31
Organization Zenobi-Wong Group / Tissue Engineering and Biofabrication
Hosts Zenobi-Wong Marcy , Hasenauer Amelia
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology , Biology
Exploring the 3D Mineralization Behavior in Material-Induced Osteoinduction Through a Multiscale Micro-CT Imaging Approach
The project aims at investigating material-induced osteoinduction using the available mouse model of orthotopic or ectopic bone graft substitute (BGS) application. Through the 3D-3D registration of ex vivo and in vivo multiscale micro-CT images, crucial 3D mineralization behavior of the BGS can be investigated.
Keywords
Femur, Bone Graft Substitute, Critical Size Defect, Osteoinduction, in vivo, micro-CT, 3D-3D Image Registration, Image Analysis, Image Processing, Python, Computational
Labels
Semester Project , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis
Description
Goal
Contact Details
More information
Published since: 2025-09-08 , Earliest start: 2025-09-22 , Latest end: 2026-07-31
Organization Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics
Hosts Lindenmann Sara
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology
RegaSpine: Development of an IMU-based approach to measure cervical spine motion during cervical spine immobilization
Injuries to the cervical spine are common in severely injured patients and can lead to the most serious health impairments, such as para- or tetraplegia, due to potential spinal cord injuries. Therefore, immobilization of the cervical spine is indicated in emergency medicine. However, there is still considerable disagreement regarding the preferred procedure. The cervical orthosis, which has been established for many years and is commonly used in these settings, has many disadvantages (such as pain, pressure ulcers, increased intracranial pressure, and in practice often being relatively complicated and time-consuming to apply), and is therefore subject of controversial debate. At the same time, clear evidence of the effectiveness of the cervical orthosis compared to alternative methods (such as head blocks in a vacuum mattress) is lacking. This project creates the programming basis for a clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of different immobilization approaches in preventing cervical spine movements using IMUs.
Keywords
Trauma, orthotics, spine, IMU, programming, motion analysis
Labels
Master Thesis
Description
Goal
Contact Details
More information
Published since: 2025-09-01 , Earliest start: 2025-11-01 , Latest end: 2026-12-01
Applications limited to ETH Zurich , University of Zurich , University of Berne
Organization Functional Spinal Biomechanics
Hosts Bertsch Martin
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology
Exploring the Mechanoregulation of Bone Regeneration
In over 100 years, the remarkable ability of bone to adapt to its mechanical environment has been a source of scientific fascination. Bone regeneration has been shown to be highly dependent on the mechanical environment at the fracture site. It has been demonstrated that mechanical stimuli can either accelerate or impede regeneration. Despite the fundamental importance of the mechanical environment in influencing bone regeneration, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are complex and poorly understood.
Keywords
Bone, Mechanobiology, Spatial transcriptomics, Gene expression, Finite element modelling, Image processing
Labels
Semester Project , Internship , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis
Description
Goal
Contact Details
More information
Published since: 2025-08-21 , Earliest start: 2024-11-01 , Latest end: 2026-08-31
Organization Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics
Hosts Mathavan Neashan
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology
The Biomechanics of the Golf Swing
The golf swing can significantly contribute to lower spine degeneration and consequent lower spine pain due to the repetitive and intense forces it exerts on the lumbar spine. Lower back pain makes up for about a quarter of all golf injuries and affects players of all ages and with varying skill levels. Different styles of golf swings exist, but in general, they are characterized by extensive rotational movements and powerful downward movements that can place particularly high stress on the spine (primarily on the intervertebral disc and the facet joints). These complex loading patterns consist of a combination of compression, torsion, and shearing and are placed on the spine at a high frequency (professional golfers may perform hundreds of swings a day). Characteristic damage to the spine caused by repeated minor traumatic injuries might be the result. In addition to targeted strengthening of muscles around the lumbar spine, understanding and consequently potentially modifying the swing biomechanics may help mitigate the risk of spine degeneration in golfers. The aim of this project is to determine the player-specific loading of the lumbar spine through a detailed biomechanical analysis of the player’s swing. Similar analyses have been successfully conducted for baseball but have yet to be applied in golf.
Labels
Internship , Master Thesis
Description
Goal
More information
Published since: 2025-08-14 , Earliest start: 2025-08-01 , Latest end: 2026-07-31
Applications limited to ETH Zurich
Organization Snedeker Group / Laboratory for Orthopaedic Biomechanics
Hosts Fasser Marie-Rosa
Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology
Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics (Prof. Ralph Müller)
Students with background in some of the following: musculoskeletal biomechanics, computational modelling, maths, physics, image analysis, machine learning background, ideally also a bit of programming (Python, Matlab)
Labels
Internship , Lab Practice , ETH Amgen Scholars Program (ETHZ)
Link to Research Website
Link to Student Projects Website
Department Name
More information
Published since: , Earliest start: 2026-07-01 , Latest end: 2026-09-05
Organization Institute for Biomechanics
Hosts
Topics Engineering and Technology
Biomaterials Engineering Group (Prof.Xiao-Hua Qin)
Students with background in: Chemistry, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Labels
Internship , Lab Practice , ETH Amgen Scholars Program (ETHZ)
Link to Research Website
Link to Student Projects Website
Department Name
More information
Published since: , Earliest start: 2026-07-01 , Latest end: 2026-09-05
Organization Institute for Biomechanics
Hosts
Topics Engineering and Technology
Laboratory for Movement Biomechanics (Prof. William Taylor)
Students with background in some of the following: musculoskeletal biomechanics, computational modelling, maths, physics, image analysis, machine learning background, ideally also a bit of programming (Python, Matlab)
Labels
Internship , Lab Practice , ETH Amgen Scholars Program (ETHZ)
Link to Research Website
Link to Student Projects Website
Department Name
More information
Published since: , Earliest start: 2026-07-01 , Latest end: 2026-09-05
Organization Institute for Biomechanics
Hosts
Topics Medical and Health Sciences