Current vacancies
Currently, we are looking for a PhD candidate and a research technician
At the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine of Maastricht University, Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering (IBE), we currently have two vacancies open as part of the MDR program.
Vacancy “Developing and performing biological assays to examine cell-biomaterial interactions” – research technician
Development of new regenerative therapies for damaged and diseased tissues and organs, such as complex cellular assemblies from intelligent biomaterials is dependent on availability of advanced biological models combined with reliable and accurate biological assays. Such assays provide in-depth knowledge of safety and efficacy of the therapies and the underlying biological mechanisms including the intricate and interrelated cell-cell and cell-biomaterial interactions.
In this position, the research technician is expected to assist in and supervise various research projects aimed at developing advanced regenerative therapies and make an important contribution to the advancement of our research goals. The work will predominantly be focused on (1) performing two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) in vitro cultures of cells, alone or together with biomaterials, (2) developing and performing analyses based on molecular biology assays and imaging techniques on the cultured cells/tissues, (3) optimizing and writing relevant protocols, and (4) contributing to organizational tasks in the labs. The research technician will be embedded in the Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering (IBE) at the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine. The research at MERLN (https://merlninstitute.com/) is focused on developing novel and breakthrough technologies to advance the field of repair and regeneration of functional tissues and organs. The research at IBE department (https://merlninstitute.com/discover-merln/departments-and-groups/ibe-department) focuses on the development of regenerative therapies based on smart biomaterials and their complexes with cells and molecular cues, and on micro- and nanotechnology tools for regenerative medicine.
Vacancy “Developing next generation of precision biomaterials for tissue regeneration applications” – PhD candidate
The current approach for designing new biomaterials follows a strategy of “one size/type fits all”. However, with increasing demand for patient-specific, personalized medicine, the need for “precision biomaterials” that are designed to satisfy the personal needs of patients has also been highlighted. In this PhD project, we aim to develop the next generation of precision biomaterials for applications in tissue regeneration by employing an engineering approach to control the biomaterials properties at different length-scales, for example at nanometer-scale by engineering the biomaterials’ chemical composition and at micron-scale by engineering their topology. The project aims to engineer a library of tailored biomaterials, to unravel the role of the materials’ properties in inducing specific biological responses and to ultimately be used as advanced functionalized precision biomaterials for specific tissue regeneration applications. The biomaterials shall in the first instance be developed for the regeneration of musculoskeletal tissues and tissue interfaces. However, throughout the project, the use of the precision biomaterials for the regeneration of other tissues may also be explored.
At Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), at the research of the group Bio-organic Chemistry, we have one open position for a PhD candidate:
Vacancy “3D Printing Artificial Cells” – PhD candidate
A PhD position is open in the Artificial Cell cluster of the research group, where your project will be focused on 3D printing artificial cells. Working alongside a team of other PhD students and postdocs, your main goal will be to develop techniques that will enable the 2D and eventually 3D patterning of artificial cells into artificial tissues. This is an exploratory project that will utilize our existing coacervate-based protocell platform to build up arrays of protocells with fine control over their contents, size, and positioning. Such control will enable the construction of the next generation of complex, multi-component, adaptive artificial tissues. There are opportunities in this project to examine both the fundamentals of diffusion-based molecular communication, as well as the application of this technology to biomedical challenges such as organoid culturing.
In this project, you will be expected to develop expertise in 3D printing of artificial cells, characterize these artificial tissues via light and electron microscopy, and collaborate with other members of the Artificial Cell cluster to incorporate new functionalities into the artificial tissues. This project could also include the chemical modification of protocell membranes, the modelling of diffusion via computational methods, and interactions with external academic/commercial collaborators. Your training over 4 years will also include the communication of your results to a broad range of audiences via oral presentations and written research (peer-reviewed publications and a doctoral thesis).
To check out the vacancies at the participating institution within MDR please click on the following links: