Dr. Alexander Harms

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Alexander Harms studied Molecular Microbiology at the University of Basel, where he defended his PhD in 2015 under the supervision of Prof. Christoph Dehio, focusing on the evolution of bacterial toxins and virulence factors. He then worked for several years as a postdoctoral researcher with Prof. Kenn Gerdes at the University of Copenhagen, researching toxin-antitoxin systems in bacterial persistence. In 2018, he returned to Switzerland to establish his own research team on bacteriophages, hosted by Prof. Urs Jenal at the University of Basel. In 2023, he was appointed Assistant Professor, tenure track, at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST) at ETH Zürich. The Laboratory of Molecular Phage Biology investigates bacteriophages outside classical models and standard laboratory conditions. Utilizing innovative culture systems and advanced microbial genetics with newly isolated phages, the research aims to uncover and understand new biology from the viral dark matter that dominates the planet. The knowledge garnered is directly applicable to improving applications of bacteriophages against bacterial pathogens in food safety and clinical phage therapy.

Research Interests

Awards

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Encouragement Award

2023-01-01
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Jury Award

2018-01-01
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J.C.W. Shepherd PhD Student Prize

2015-01-01

Courses

Academic Writing Publishing Molecular Biology

Requirements for ETH Zurich

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.4
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Total
Required:100
GRE General
Verbal
Required:159
Verbal Percentile
Required:80
Quantitative
Required:168
Quantitative Percentile
Required:81
Analytical Writing
Required:4.5
Writing Percentile
Required:85
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in a related field (Engineering, Natural Sciences, or Mathematics) Minimum 180 ECTS credits Subject-specific knowledge equivalent to ETH Bachelor's programs
Application Checklist
  • Bachelor's degree diploma or transcript
  • Official academic transcripts
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Letter of Motivation (1 page)
  • Two academic recommendation letters
  • English language proficiency certificate
  • GRE General Test (for non-EU/EFTA applicants)
Specialization Notes

The GRE is mandatory for students who did not obtain their Bachelor's degree in an EU/EFTA state. Some departments (e.g., Computer Science) have specific ECTS credit requirements in core subjects.