The Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration (CTR) is looking for a Ph.D. student to join a team designing dynamic materials for additive manufacturing and regenerative medicine. We have received recent funding toc create novel materials to advance the fabrication of adaptable tissue constructs towards soft organ regeneration, and to unravel cell-material interactions with such dynamic soft matter. 

Current biomaterials are typically static, while the biomaterials in the human body are inherently dynamic. This position will directly tackle this discrepancy by designing time- and mechanically-dependent properties into biocompatible hydrogels for 3D printing. The candidate will engage in the design, synthesis, characterization, and testing of new and existing biocompatible hydrogels designed for 3D printing of encapsulated cells. These hydrogels will be based on self-healing, shear-thinning, and reversible supramolecular interactions or dynamic covalent chemistry – exciting new areas of responsive biomaterials.

In addition, CTR (and MERLN) is currently hiring for several positions with various background from chemistry to engineering to cell biology. Other positions are currently open and being filled; please see other listings on Academic Transfer and our website (merln.maastrichtuniversity.nl/content/opportunities) for details.

Candidates should have a Master’s degree in chemistry, materials science, or closely related field, with an affinity for regenerative medicine. A background in organic/polymer synthesis and materials characterization is highly valued. Additional knowledge on biofabrication, biomaterials design, and cell culture is a plus, yet is not necessary. Candidates who have done a Bachelor’s degree in a country where it is the norm to directly enter a PhD afterwards (e.g. USA) are welcome to apply, but must demonstrate significant independent research experience.

We are looking for creative thinkers who are prepared to take on highly challenging aims. The project will be very collaborative and interdisciplinary, with a core competency of materials design. This position will best suit an ambitious candidate who likes a fast-paced environment. Excellent knowledge of scientific English for speaking, reading, and writing are required. Knowledge of Dutch is not required.

Fixed-term contract: 4 year.

For those unfamiliar with the Dutch PhD system, it is normal to take 4 years to complete the laboratory work for the degree. The full-time positions are offered for four years (1+3), with a yearly evaluation. The salary will be set in PhD salary scale of the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities (CAO-NU, €2.222,- gross per month in first year to €2.840,-in the last year). On top of this, there is an 8% holiday and an 8.3% year-end bonus. It is a full-time research degree, with only optional course work. In addition to the CAO-NU, local UM provisions also apply (see www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees).

For any questions, please contact Dr. Matthew Baker.

Maastricht University

Maastricht University (MU) is renowned for its academic teaching hospital and its innovative problem based learning (PBL), characterized by small scale and student oriented approach. With 16,500 students and 4,000 staff, MU offers a wide choice of academic programs. MU can easily call itself the most international university in the Netherlands, with 45% of our students and more than 30% of our staff from abroad. 

MERLN- Complexe Tissue Regeneration (CTR)

A successful candidate will join the biofabrication laboratory under guidance of Dr. Matthew Baker and Prof. Dr. Lorenzo Moroni. This position is within the Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration (CTR) in the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine (merln.maastrichtuniversity.nl). The MERLN Institute is newly opened at Maastricht University. We are a collaborative, international, and interdisciplinary group with diverse expertise, including biomaterials science, chemistry, tissue engineering, fabrication, and stem-cell biology. We share newly renovated laboratory facilities with modern equipment. We have a long history as leaders in the field of tissue engineering and are particularly well-known for our orientation towards translational research into the market and the clinics.