The Chair of Production Management at the Institute of Technology Management (ITEM-HSG), headed by Prof. Dr. Thomas Friedli, is looking for a Bachelor or Master Thesis Student (m/f/d). The thesis will be conducted in close collaboration with an industry partner, providing practical insights and opportunities to apply theoretical concepts in a real-world context.
Introduction to the research area
The Institute for Technology Management conducts international research projects in close cooperation with renowned industrial companies and consulting firms. As part of your thesis, you will support the Operational Excellence team.
Introduction of the praxis partner and the thesis topic
Sciquoia is a Swiss startup dedicated to transforming pharmaceutical quality control (QC) through innovative robotics and automation. Our mission is to improve drug quality, reduce costs, and enhance operational efficiency by integrating technology into GMP-compliant QC laboratories. With standardized hardware and intelligent software, Sciquoia’s solutions streamline workflows, reduce validation burdens, and accelerate implementation timelines, delivering a seamless path to compliance and operational excellence. Our first product will be based on off-the-shelf hardware already available in the market. Sciquoia will make it fit for use in pharma QC where there is currently very limited adoption of robotic automation.
The adoption of automated systems in QC laboratories hinges on demonstrating clear and quantifiable business benefits. This thesis will address critical questions pivotal to investment decisions:
What efficiency and quality gains can automation deliver?
How do operational costs of automated systems compare to traditional manual processes?
How does investment for a standardized, prequalified system with documentation compare to a traditional customized system?
What potential cost savings can be achieved through error reduction, enhanced compliance, and minimized deviations?
How does automation support strategic benefits like improved data integrity, seamless technology transfer, and scalability?
In addition to answering these questions for one dedicated system only, the project covers the development of a customizable business case calculation tool. This tool will serve as a strategic asset for QC laboratories, enabling them to:
Input their specific operational parameters, such as sample throughput and labor costs.
Compare “as-is” (manual) and “to-be” (automated) scenarios to calculate ROI, cost savings, and payback periods.
Quantify non-monetary benefits, such as improved compliance, data integrity, and reduced risk, and integrate them into the decision-making framework
The tool will be scalable, adaptable to diverse QC lab environments, and to support pharmaceutical companies in making informed decisions. By bridging technical innovation with financial clarity, this thesis will help drive the transition to smarter, more efficient pharmaceutical QC processes.
Your profile
At the end of the bachelor’s or master’s program
Business administration, economics, industrial engineering, healthcare management or a related field
A strong passion and interest in the thesis topic
Willing to sign a confidentiality agreement with Sciquoia
Are you interested?
We are looking forward to receiving your message. Please send us your application (short motivation, curriculum vitae). Feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding the advertised thesis.
Research Associate