In this project, two early stage researchers (ESRs) will develop a bioprinted kidney fibrosis model (ESR3) and bioprinting of kidney rudiment for drug safety screening (ESR6). This project is part of a H2020 Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions – Innovative Training Networks (SINERGIA, https://www.sinergia2020.polimi.it/) with the overall aim to provide breakthrough strategies for the implementation of new in vitro preclinical platforms. Innovative technologies, biological models and drug screening approaches will be developed in an effort to bridge the gap between current, simplistic in vitro cultures and faithful and effective future physiological models. SINERGIA provides career development and training opportunities for 15 researchers who are in the first 4 years of their research careers. The Consortium will enroll 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs): 9 ESRs based at Universities, 4 ESRs at Companies, and 2 ESRs at Hospitals.

ESR candidates must hold a Master’s degree and have excellent marks from his/her previous studies and courses along with experience in one or more of the relevant fields (e.g. Biology, Biotechnology, Biofabrication, Biomedical Engineering, Technical Biology or equivalent title). Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are mandatory. Knowledge of Dutch is not required.

The desired candidate has the following skills and interests:

ESR3

• Knowledge and experience in working with bioprinting techniques
• Knowledge and experience in synthesis, preparation and characterization of hydrogels
• Knowledge and experience in cell culture and assays

ESR6

• Knowledge and experience in working with pluripotent stem cells culture, maintenance and differentiation
• Knowledge and experience in working with bioprinting techniques and hydrogel formulations

Are you eligible?

Applicants need to fully respect three eligibility criteria:

• Early-stage researchers (ESR) are those who are, at the time of recruitment by the host, in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree which formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate was envisaged.
• Conditions of international mobility of researchers. At the time of selection by the host organisation, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.
• Network fellows (ESRs) must demonstrate that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficiently high for them to derive the full benefit from the network training.

Fixed-term contract: 1+3 years.

The successful candidates will receive an attractive salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for early stage researchers. 

Temporary employment for 4 years with evaluation after the first year for further employment.

Your salary would be € 2.325,00 gross per month in the first year up to € 2.972,00 gross per month in the fourth year according to the salary scale for PhD-candidates.The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees.

The salary includes a living allowance, a mobility allowance and a family allowance (if married or equivalent). In addition to their individual scientific projects, all fellows will benefit from further continuing education, which includes internships and secondments, a variety of training modules as well as transferable skills courses and active participation in workshops and conferences. A personalised Career Development Plan will be defined and monitored to guide ESRs through the career decision-making process.

Maastricht University

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 18,000 students and 4,300 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

MERLN Institute, division Complex Tissue Engineering (CTR)

The candidate will join the laboratory of Prof. Moroni at the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine at Maastricht University (https://merlninstitute.com/). At MERLN, we are a collaborative, international, and interdisciplinary group with diverse expertise, including biomaterials science, chemistry, tissue engineering, 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.

The PhD candidate will have a supervision team comprising Dr. Carlos Mota and Prof. Lorenzo Moroni from the Complex Tissue Engineering department in the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine (https://merlninstitute.com/). As part of the consortium, there will be collaboration with the Universitaetsklinikum Aachen (Germany) (ESR3, ESR6), Universitat Basel (Switzerland) (ESR6), Politecnico Di Milano (Italy) (ESR3), Accelera SRL (Italy) (ESR3), STEMCELL Technologies UK Ltd (United Kingdom) (ESR3).