Postdoc position in Biofabrication

Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, and Dept. of Orthopaedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands

Biofabrication and volumetric bioprinting of a functional engineered bone marrow

A 3-year full-time (1.0 FTE) Postdoc position supported by the European Research Council funded project entitled “Volumetric light-driven bioprinting capturing complex physiological shape, size and function in artificial tissues and organoids” (VOLUME-BIO, ERC-StG, coordinated by Dr. R. Levato, info and summary: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/949806). Your project will focus on the generation of development of engineered organoids and 3D bioprinted bone marrow models able to support hematopoietic stem cell culture and differentiation, by means a novel light-based bioprinting technique developed in our lab, capable of producing complex cell-laden constructs in less than 30 seconds. You will become a member of the Bioengineered Functional Living Systems team, embedded within the Utrecht Biofabrication research line, based at the Department of Orthopaedics of UMCU, and at the Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht. Interactions and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, biologists, engineers and veterinary doctors form an essential part of the job. You will be co-supervising PhD students, and you will be closely collaborating with colleagues from the Hubrecht Institute and from Utrecht University (Faculties of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine), as well as from international partners of the Biofabrication research group within the Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht. We offer an exciting opportunity to contribute to an ambitious and international research program within a highly motivated team and to conduct your work at a renowned research university. Teaching opportunities will be available, if desired. You will receive appropriate training, personal supervision, and guidance for both your research, career development and acquisition of personal funding, and which will provide an excellent basis to an independent academic career.

- PhD degree in biology, biotechnology, regenerative medicine, bioengineering, biofabrication or in a related area.

- Experience with primary stem cell culture, bone marrow biology and hematopoiesis, vascularization and angiogenesis, 3D culture and hydrogels. Your expertise is also proven by your track record and peer-reviewed scientific publications.

- Experience with 3D (bio-)printing, biomaterials, tissue engineering and extracellular matrix engineering, tissue culture, organoid biology, advanced microscopy, bioreactors and microfluidics systems will be positively evaluated

- Ability to work in a multidisciplinary research environment to contribute to team efforts and projects, and guide the research efforts of students within the group

- Ability to communicate effectively scientific ideas, foster collaboration and independent thinking.

- Proven proficiency in written and spoken English.

The initial contract will be for a period of one year, which will be extended to a total of three years upon successful assessment.

Start date: As soon as possible

The deadline for submitting your application is March 31, 2021.

Please provide your updated CV and a motivation letter and the contact details of two referees via the dedicated online form.

The maximum salary for this position (36 hours) is € 4.615,00 gross per month based on full-time employment.

In addition, we offer an annual benefit of 8.3%, holiday allowance, travel expenses and career opportunities. The terms of employment are in accordance with the Cao University Medical Centers (UMC).

Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht

This position is hosted at Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht (RMCU) and you will be appointed at the Department of Orthopaedics of UMCU. Imagine a world where there is no shortage of donor organs, where we can repair or replace organs damaged by injury, disease or ageing. A world in which we can customize treatments for each individual. This is the long-term goal of regenerative medicine. The RMCU brings together the largest number of researchers in the Netherlands to address global health care problems. Our scientists, engineers, clinicians, and staff work together closely to translate scientific and technological discoveries into patient benefit. 

The Department of Orthopaedics at the UMCU is a global leader in the development of novel regenerative technologies, such as 3D (bio)printing, and it initiated the Utrecht Biofabrication Facility, a leading European knowledge center that aims at expediting emerging biofabrication technologies in areas of regenerative medicine, 3D in vitro cell culture models and therapeutic treatments. The Department is also a firmly involved in the Utrecht Advanced in vitro models Hub (U-AIM), taking key steps towards the establishment of the next generation animal-free biomedical research.