We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic PhD candidate for the recently funded project DARTBAC: Dutch Antimicrobial Resistance Technology development and Biofilm Assessment Consortium.

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem worldwide. Preventive use of antibiotics contributes to this problem: when medical implants such as hip implants and pacemakers are placed, the patients receive antibiotics before and after the surgery to prevent bacterial infections. DARTBAC aims to reduce the use of antibiotics by developing innovative biomaterials that are antimicrobial via mechanical properties or via their surface, without using the traditional antibiotics.
The consortium consists of 9 Dutch universities, 9 companies (including 3 from abroad), knowledge institutes and the orthopedic association. DARTBAC is coordinated by dr. Chris Arts from Maastricht University Medical Centre.

Most partners focus on the development of innovative materials (bio-active glass, biomaterials with antimicrobial peptides, biomateials with different surface topografies). You will contribute to the safety testing of the materials. Your research will focus on understanding the relation between specific biomaterial properties and their potential toxicity. To be in line with the latest developments in the Green Deal and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the focus is on using biomaterials that are safe-by-design. This means that already during the product development phase, potential toxicity will be taken into account.
Such an approach is novel in the biomaterial field.

This PhD project will include:

Identifying the critical parameters that drive potential toxicity of an implant

Select and optimize assays to measure implant safety

• Biomaterial toxicity will be tested both in the presence and absence of bacteria, as these can influence the inflammation potential of implants
• Including identification and selection of reference materials

Development of a testing strategy to assess potential toxicity of implants at an early stage of product development

Evaluation of the testing strategy using case study materials from DARTBAC partners

• Including testing SbD options, e.g. different coating or surface topografies.

You will work in an interdisciplinary team with various types of expertise, e.g., material scientists, chemists, toxicologists, immunologists. In addition, you will have access to RIVM’s expert team on safe-and-sustainable-by-design. As a PhD student, you will be based at the Centre for Health Protection within the Department of Innovative Testing Strategies of the RIVM. The department consists of a group of 25 enthusiastic scientific researchers, technicians and PhD students. As PhD candidate, you will also regularly interact with other partners of the consortium.

We are looking for a motivated researcher with the following requirements:

• A Master’s degree in Biomedical Engeneering, Biomedical Sciences, Toxicology or a related field
• An interest in biomaterials, cell-material interaction, toxicology
• Experience in cell culturing and in performing molecular biology assays
• Ability to integrate knowledge from the different areas of expertise required for the project
• Proactive attitude, excellent communicator
• Able to work independently and as part of a team to deliver high-quality work
• Able to multitask and prioritize
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English at a level appropriate to scientific research. Verbal communication in Dutch is appreciated, but is not a prerequisite.

Fixed-term contract: 48 maanden.

• Salary description: The salary (36 hour working week) increases in 4 steps from scale 8, salary number 0 (€ 2623,- gross per month) to scale 8, salary number 8, (€ 3279,- gross per month) in the fourth year.
• Contract­: 48 months
• Min. hours per week: 32
• Max. hours per week: 36

In addition to the salary you will receive an Individual Choice Budget (IKB). The IKB consists of money (16.37% of your gross annual salary) and time. You can use the IKB to make the choices that suit you and compile some of your terms and conditions of employment yourself. For example you can choose to have part of your monthly income paid out whenever you wish. You can also convert this budget into leave and vice versa, or spend it on tax-friendly purposes. The central government is keen to promote personal growth and career development and offers plenty of opportunities to do so. The fringe benefits include various study facilities, company fitness, full reimbursement of your public transport commuting expenses and partially paid parental leave.

National Institute for Public Health and the Environment

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment has been promoting public health and safeguarding a healthy environment for more than 100 years. RIVM has a central role in infectious disease control and national prevention and population screening programs. We conduct independent (scientific) research in the field of Public Health, Health Services, Environmental Safety and Security. In our role as trusted advisor, we support citizens, professionals and governments in the challenge of keeping the environment and ourselves healthy.

Centrum Gezondheidsbescherming

Centrum Gezondheidsbescherming is one of the 12 research centers at RIVM and focuses on human adverse health effects of chemical substances, biological agents and particles, with a special focus on pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tobacco, consumer products and the interaction with life style factors. Within these topics, novel developments are monitored, and both laboratory and desk research is performed to better understand and explain adverse health effects. GZB has a broad laboratory infrastructure, including chemical analysis, cell biology and imaging laboratories. Research results are translated into advice for policymakers, risk assessors and scientists within (inter)national bodies. In addition, within GZB, we offer a social environment with multidisciplinary teams and an informal structure. For PhD candidates, RIVM offers the promovendi network RIVM (Proneri) to connect with other PhD candidates at the institute.

The Department for Innovative Testing Strategies (Vernieuwing Test Strategieën, VTS) gives advice to policymakers from different Ministries (VWS, I&W, LNV) on the risks of exposure to chemical substances, nanomaterials and medical devices and on alternatives to animal testing. The department generates novel scientific knowledge and insights on these topics and translates this knowledges into advice for (inter)national governments and regulatory institutes. The main aim of the research performed at VTS is to use scientific knowledge on molecular and cellular mechanisms of toxicity to improve the risk assessment of substances in an innovative way. Within VTS there is special focus on carcinogenesis, reproductive toxicology, genetic toxicology, neurotoxicology, immunotoxicology, inhalation toxicology, and endocrine disruption.