TU/e is a University of Technology with a focus on Health, Energy and Mobility. Within the Health area, several departments cooperate on topics such as Chemical Biology, Regenerative Medicine, Computational Biology, and Biosensing, with close links to healthcare and industry. TU/e is an open and inclusive university with short communication lines. The people are curious, collaborative, and strive for excellence. TU/e enables its academic staff to develop research and education at an internationally renowned level. Our lively campus community facilitates connections between staff and students, in an open, friendly, vibrant atmosphere that welcomes and inspires.

The Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) offers research driven Bachelors and Masters Programs. Its research areas range from Molecular Bioengineering and Imaging, Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering to Biomedical Imaging and Modelling. The department has more than 800 students and up to 200 tenured and non-tenured staff.

The BME Orthopaedic Biomechanics group combines the disciplines of engineering and biology to increase our knowledge of the adaptive, developmental and physiological nature of musculoskeletal tissues. This knowledge is then applied to explore and develop regenerative treatment strategies, currently applied to bone, articular cartilage, intervertebral disc and tendons/ligaments. The group consists of multi-disciplinary scientists and engineers at all levels employing numerical and experimental as well as engineering, imaging, biological and chemical techniques.

The Materials-Driven Regeneration (MDR) Gravitation Program is a partnership between TU/e, Maastricht Univ., Utrecht Univ. (Hubrecht Institute) and UMC Utrecht. This consortium was brought together to advance tissue and organ regeneration approaches with the use of instructive biomaterials. The interdisciplinary team of researchers within the MDR consortium aims to focus on the research and development of new, intelligent materials that stimulate the regeneration of damaged or diseased tissues and organs.

Job description

To facilitate regeneration of cartilaginous tissues such as articular cartilage or the intervertebral disc, bioresorbable smart hydrogels are used to preserve the appropriate cell phenotype, instruct tissue growth and modulate the biological milieu. Although much advance has been made in these aspects, these biomaterials still cannot meet the demanding mechanical environment of the natural tissues and thus cannot provide functionality to the tissues in situ. In this project, new combinations of hydrogels, combined with reinforcing fiber scaffolds, and with unique properties, such as swelling, self-assembly and capacity for cell-remodelling will be developed and characterized, which will include chemical and ultrastructure, rheological and mechanical properties as well as cytocompatibility and regenerative potential. 

We are accepting applications from enthusiastic candidates who are interested in a dynamic, stimulating and ambitious environment to perform their research. They should be curiosity-driven and not afraid to think independently out-of-the-box. Candidates are expected to have experience with organic/polymer synthesis, materials characterization techniques and cell/tissue culturing and analysis. The candidate will be able to effectively communicate scientific ideas, foster collaboration and have a capability for independent thinking. Moreover, the candidate should be able to work independently within a dynamic team and be skilled in written and spoken English. The candidate must have a bachelors/masters degree in organic/polymer chemistry, material science, biomedical engineering, tissue/regenerative engineering, or equivalent.

Conditions

A full-time appointment for four years by Eindhoven University of Technology (www.tue.nl/en)

A gross monthly salary from €2,222 (first year) to €2,840 (fourth year) in line with the Collective Agreement for Dutch Universities.

The possibility to present your work at international conferences.

A personal development program for PhD students (Information on the PROOF program can be found on: https://www.tue.nl/en/university/working-at-tue/development-and-career/scientific-personnel/phd-and-postdoc/providing-opportunities-for-phd-students-3tu/

An attractive package of fringe benefits, including end-of-year bonus (8,3% in December), an extra holiday allowance (8% in May), moving expenses and excellent sports facilities.