Corneal diseases are a major cause of blindness worldwide, resulting in a dramatic decrease in quality of life. Corneal (transplantation) surgery can treat blindness and visual disability and is the most common form of transplantation. Millions of people are denied access to this sight saving procedure due to a global shortage of donor tissue. Corneal (refractive) surgery may also treat refractive errors like presbyopia, which is present in more than fifty percent of the population. However, despite an increasing desire for spectacle and contact lens independence, corneal refractive surgery is not popular as a treatment for presbyopia. In our project ‘EyeSciTe’, we combine disruptive technologies in material sciences, engineering and stem cell biology to develop artificial corneas and corneal lenses, which will revolutionize corneal transplantation and refractive surgery.

The research technician will be expected to assist in and supervise various research projects and make an important contribution to the advancement of our research goals. The two main parts of the work will be focused on (1) processing advanced (cell-laden) hydrogels and polymers as well as (2) micro-/nanofabrication, such as lithography and UV nanoimprinting.

We offer a laboratory setting comprising newly renovated facilities with state of the art equipment in the field of biomedical technology, material sciences, (3D) cell culture, live cell microscopy and microfabrication. The work is highly interdisciplinary and will suit an ambitious candidate who likes a fast-paced, but friendly and collaborative international environment with new challenges and opportunities for growth.

Candidates with a Bachelor (HTS, HLO) or higher (including PhD) degree are invited to apply. The technician will work as part of a highly skilled team and is expected to:

• Have experience with commonly used physical, chemical and/or structural analytical techniques for polymers and biomaterials characterization and processing

• have experience in (stem) cell culture

• Experience with work in a clean room is a plus

• Has excellent organization, documentation and communication skills

• Likes to work in a multidisciplinary environment

• Team player

Furthermore, the ideal candidate should be able to work independently in the laboratory in the techniques described above, and must be able and willing to learn new techniques. Part of the position may entail laboratory management tasks. Excellent knowledge of scientific English for speaking, reading, and writing are required. Knowledge of Dutch is not necessarily required.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

This is preferably a full-time position, but part-time (0.8 FTE) can be considered. Maximum salary scale 7/8 depending on experience (min. €2.161,00, max. €3.292 gross/month). The position will be for 1 year with a possibility of extension for 3 years based on performance. 

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labor Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO-NU). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information, see www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees

In case of relocation the candidate can be eligiable for a relocation allowance. Furthermore, candidates hired from abroad can be eligiable for the 30% tax rule.

Maastricht University (UM) 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. The university has around 16,300 students and 4,300 employees. Reflecting UM's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties, the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, the Faculty of Law, the School of Business and Economics, the Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

Research at the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine is focused on developing novel and breakthrough technologies to advance the field of repair and regeneration of functional tissues and organs. Within MERLN’s department of Complex Tissue Regeneration (CTR), the focus is on the development of advanced macro-, micro- and nanobiofabrication technologies in combination with fundamental knowledge on biology and materials chemistry towards the engineering of complex tissues and organs.

http://merln.maastrichtuniversity.nl/content/complex-tissue-regeneration-ctr