The prospective PhD candidate will operate as part of a recently awarded EIC Pathfinder Challenge Consortium. The PhD candidate position is available immediately. In this project, a novel volumetric 3D bioprinting strategy based on photopolymerization of biomaterials will be developed for the creation of functional heart tissue. This approach represents a beyond-state-of-the-art solution to engineer living functional tissues with complex architectures, which will be used as in vitro models for fundamental research as well as drug screening.

The aim of the presently available PhD-position is to bioprint photo-sensitive and cell-laden biomaterials into complex cardiac tissues containing functional vascular structures. You will therefore work on the multidisciplinary interface of additive manufacturing, materials science, microengineering, and cell/cardiovascular biology. This will develop a wide skill set which will include tissue engineering, 3D bioprinting, bioink development, advanced photopolymerization, materials characterization, induced pluripotent cell culture and differentiation, and writing high impact scientific publications.

• You hold a master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, Biomedical Sciences, or an equivalent master's education;
• You have excellent analytical skills and an innate ability for solution oriented problem solving;
• You have strong interests in additive manufacturing, photopolymerization, cell-biomaterial interaction, cardiovascular biology, and/or tissue engineering;
• You have experience in 3D printing, photopolymerization, material synthesis/characterization, and/or material visualization techniques. Experience in hydrogels, iPSC culture, and advanced optical imaging techniques will be considered as a benefit;
• You possess excellent social and communication skills, in academic as well as non-academic contexts.
• You love working in a team in which fundamental and applied research cross-fertilize.
• You have a creative and critical attitude, combined with perseverance and being flexible and stress-resistant.
• You are fluent in English language skills, both in speaking and writing.

• Fully paid fulltime position for four years
• The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in a stimulating scientific environment.
• The PhD salary is € 2.541,- in the first year and increases to € 3.247,- in the fourth year.
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• A solid pension scheme.
• A professional and personal development program within Graduate School Twente.
• The number of holiday hours for full-time employment is 232 hours per calendar year.
• A personal development program within the Twente Graduate School.

The PhD-candidate will work in the Leijten Lab, which is part of the department of Developmental Bioengineering. The department of Developmental BioEngineering is a research group with a highly international character. Our main goal is to investigate and explore the potential of novel (micro)technologies in the field of Regenerative Medicine. Our department has a strong history in the development of various biofabrication technologies and advanced biomaterials, which have been leveraged to create a family of next-generation bioinks for various biomedical applications. DBE is distinguished as a Centre of Excellence and part of the Technical Medical Centre of the University of Twente, which is widely recognized for its cutting edge developments in biomedical technology and advanced biomanufacturing.

We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which leads change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university of the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. We have a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out groundbreaking research.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Because of our diversity values we do particularly support women to apply.