Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) hold great promise for regenerative medicine and in vitro disease modeling because of their capacity to differentiate to any cell type of the human body. We have recently shown differentiation of hPSC to cardiac progenitors and cardiac subtypes, including atrial, ventricular and pacemaker cardiomyocytes. However, one of the key challenges is to obtain mature cardiac subtypes, comparable to the adult heart. This ambitious project will focus on hPSC differentiated to the cardiac lineage using advanced 2D and 3D cultures to study chromatin state and the gene regulatory interactions underlying cellular identity and maturity.

As a PhD student you will differentiate hPSC to the cardiac progenitors and subtypes and generate 3D cardiac tissues using state-of-the-art tissue engineering technologies. You will use single cell transcriptome analysis (single cell RNA-seq) to distinguish subpopulations of cells with different identities and potential, and you will compare these transcriptomes to those of mature human cardiac cells. You will also obtain chromatin accessibility and epigenetic data (ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq) to examine gene-regulatory elements and to infer gene regulatory networks. You will use these data to predict and test key regulatory interactions with the aim of improving the maturation of differentiated stem cells. Moreover, you will use CRISPR-Cas gene-editing methods to create specific lineage reporter lines or target key molecular pathways in hPSC.

You will have the opportunity to develop novel ideas and work on an independent project that aligns with our research interests.

We are looking for two highly motivated and ambitious experimental biologists to work on a collaborative project funded by ZonMW. One PhD student will be part of the research team in the Department of Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre at the University of Twente. In our Department we have extensive experience in cardiovascular differentiation of hPSC, advanced tissue engineering and microfluidic organ-on-chip models using molecular (genetically modified by CRISPR-Cas) and functional readouts for disease modeling and drug testing. The other PhD student will join our research team in the Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, located at the Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Faculty of Science in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. We offer a first class international research environment in regulation of gene expression and epigenetics using state-of-the-art genomic and proteomic technologies and bioinformatics. We run Next-Generation Sequencers, single cell equipment, Mass Spectrometers and we accommodate a bioinformatics team and a local computational infrastructure.

• A master degree in molecular or cellular biology, molecular life sciences or related field.
• Experience in in one or more of the following areas: Molecular biology techniques, generation and analysis of Next Generation Sequencing, single cell approaches, (mammalian) genomics and gene regulation, and computational analysis
• Interest and affinity with stem cell culture and tissue engineering
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English
• Strong analytical skills, a problem-solving and an result-oriented attitude

The ability to work and interact with others in an energetic and supportive research environment.

The University of Twente and the Radboud University Faculty of Science are equal opportunity employers, committed to building a culturally diverse intellectual community, and as such encourages applications from women and minorities.

https://www.utwente.nl/en/tnw/ast/#stem-cells

molbio.science.ru.nl/about/molecular-developmental-biology/

veenstra.science.ru.nl/

You should upload your application exclusively using the button 'Apply' below, before the 1st of July. Your application should include (and be limited to) the following attachment(s):

• Motivation letter
• Transcripts / course grades of master degree
• CV including the names of two references.

Your suitability will be assessed on the basis of your CV and motivation letter. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.

The University of Twente offers a stimulating work environment in an area of applied, forefront research. You will have an employment contract for the duration of 4 years and can participate in all employee benefits the UT offers. The gross salary starts with € 2.222,- in the first year and increases to € 2.840,- in the fourth year of your employment. Additionally, the University of Twente provides excellent facilities for professional and personal development, a holiday allowance (amount to 8%) and an end of year bonus of 8.3%. A high-quality training program is part of the agreement. The research has to result in a PhD thesis at the end of the employment period.

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which leads change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university of the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. We have a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out groundbreaking research.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Because of our diversity values we do particularly support women to apply.

Within the TNW Faculty (Faculty of Science & Technology) of the University of Twente some 700 staff members and 2000 students are involved in training and research on the interface of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. Research, which enjoys a high profile both at home and internationally, has been accommodated in the multidisciplinary research institutes MESA+ and MIRA. The faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders.