We offer an applied position for a postdoc – Biofabrication Expert to support the translational activities at the Innovation Center for Advanced Therapies (ICAT) within the UMC Utrecht. In this role, you will play an important part in advancing our biofabrication capabilities, contributing to the development of novel Medical Devices and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), pushing the boundaries of what is possible in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine.
ICAT offers an infrastructure for collaboration with fundamental and translational researchers, experts, analysts, companies, and clinicians from different disciplines to translated new innovative medicines more quickly into a production process that is suitable for clinical validation. Your role is to plan and execute activities for innovations and (early) process development for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) towards GMP-complaint process.
As a biofabrication expert you will be involved in a broad range of tasks such as:

• Provide hands-on work in the laboratory to develop and optimize complex biofabrication production processes for combined ATMPs and prepare them for the production under GMP.
• Provide technical expertise in the scale-up and translation of biofabricated Medicinal products.
• Act as subject matter expert in biofabrication and tissue engineering for both customers and ICAT colleagues.
• Work closely with the Utrecht-based biofabrication team to set up and execute research.
• Play a crucial role in translating research, being a source of information for researchers, clinicians and regulatory experts.
• Contribute to project planning, budgeting, and reporting activities.
• Analyze and provide feedback about data and prepare reports.
• Actively identify and analyze opportunities in the market.
• (co) Write grants or company collaborations.

We are seeking a highly motivated individual to join our versatile environment in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and cell-and gene therapy. In addition, you also have:

• a Ph.D. in Life Science, preferably Regenerative Medicine;
• 3-5 years of experience in tissue engineering (preferably in upscaling of Medical Devices or ATMP’s);
• in depth knowledge about biofabrication techniques;
• hands-on lab experience;
• the ability to think analytically, problem-solving skills, and a drive to succeed;
• the ability to work seamlessly within multidisciplinary teams and enjoys working in innovative high-pressure environments;
• good proficiency in English both in word and writing skills.
• an enthusiastic, flexible and accurate work ethic;
• an interest in joining an interdisciplinary and international environment;

The maximum salary for this position (36 - 36 hours) is € 5.504,00 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).

Welcome to the Innovation Center for Advanced Therapies (ICAT) in Utrecht, part of the Dutch RegMed XB infrastructure of leading regenerative medicine clusters in the Netherlands. By collaborating with fundamental and translational researchers, GMP experts, analysts, companies and clinicians from different disciplines, new innovative medicines can be translated more quickly into a production process that is suitable for clinical use within ICAT. Moreover, ICAT has the latest biofabrication, tissue engineering and cell therapy technology to develop and produce new therapies for clinical applications. Examples of current therapies and concepts are stem cells, DCs, CAR/TCR T cells, and biofabricated advanced in vitro models for drug screening and artificial tissues/organs for transplantation. The ICAT consists of three (sub) facilities; a biofabrication innovation facility, a GMP simulation facility and a certified GMP production facility.
Biofabrication brings (engineered) cells and biomaterials together, for example with the aid of 3D bioprinting, in a natural or simulated environment to create functional 3D tissue. The aim of this biofabrication facility is to use patient's own material and to implant it back into the patient after reprocessing. A second application is the validation, standardization, and automation of organ and patient-specific in vitro models to predict the effectiveness and safety of therapies in a specific patient or patient population.