Head of Mass Spectrometry (m/f) 100%
Kinderspital ZürichNCCR Children & Cancer
The Morscher Laboratory works at the intersection of pediatric oncology and fundamental research in metabolism. Stable isotope tracing is a core methodology of the lab - applied across cell culture, animal models, and directly in patients to map metabolic fluxes at quantitative resolution. We combine this with single-cell metabolomics, RNA mass spectrometry, and proteomics to decode metabolic programs from the whole organism down to the single cell - and to translate these insights into new treatment strategies for children with cancer.
Kinderspital Zürich as an employer
Kinderspital Zürich is the largest university children's hospital in Switzerland with about 2,500 employees, and is one of the leading centres for paediatric and youth medicine in Europe. Although the hospital may be big, it's the little ones that count: up to 100,000 patients are cared for each year across 47 faculties, where we do everything in our power to ensure their well being. 'Kispi' not only offers cutting-edge devices and the highest quality of care, but also a good sense of interpersonal issues. Alongside its comprehensive range of paediatric medicine and surgery facilities, the children's hospital also offers a unique rehabilitation centre and a research centre.
Your responsibilities
- You will lead the day-to-day operations of the MS platform, including scheduling, quality control and sample throughput across metabolomics, isotope tracing and other MS-omics workflows.
- In this role, you drive method development for LC-MS/MS-based stable isotope tracing, metabolomics, RNA modifications and lipid analysis, including applications to in vivo and patient-derived samples.
- You ensure high data quality, robust data management and fully reproducible workflows through rigorous QC and precise documentation.
- You will co-develop and implement automated sample preparation workflows to increase throughput and improve reproducibility.
- Co-design of the data acquisition and processing infrastructure around Orbitrap Astral instruments will be part of your responsibilities.
- You maintain mass spectrometry instruments at the highest performance standards and manage service contracts as well as consumables.
- Contribution to the development of single-cell mass spectrometry methods is expected as part of the lab's technology development agenda.
- You actively contribute to research projects, from experimental planning and data interpretation through to manuscript writing.
- Training and mentoring of graduate students, postdocs, and collaborators in MS techniques and experimental design is an important part of your work.
- You advise on and support the procurement of future equipment and contribute to grant applications for infrastructure funding.
- You represent the platform in internal and external collaborations across the Zurich life sciences community.
Your profile
- Complete application package, including a motivation letter, CV, diplomas and employment certificates/references
- Expert (MSc or PhD) in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, or a closely related field - with a strong mass spectrometry track record; Experience matters
- Hands-on expertise with high-resolution LC-MS platforms, ideally including Orbitrap-based instruments
- Proven experience in stable isotope tracing and/or metabolomics in a biological research context - this is central to the lab's work
- Demonstrated ability to develop and optimize analytical methods from first principles
- Experience with or strong interest in laboratory automation - liquid handling systems, automated sample prep, or workflow scripting
- Interest in or experience with single-cell mass spectrometry technologies is a plus
- Experience mentoring or teaching MS techniques to non-specialists
- Strong publication record showing independent scientific contributions
- Experience running or co-running a core or research facility is a strong plus, not prerequisite
- Fluent in English; German is an asset but not required
Dr. Dr. med. univ. (A) Raphael Morscher
Research Group Leader
+41 44 249 65 84
Research Group Leader
+41 44 249 65 84
Kinderspital Zürich
Lenggstrasse 30
8008 Zürich
Lenggstrasse 30
8008 Zürich
