We seek two PhD candidates to join an interdisciplinary team working in the field of regenerative medicine of the cornea. 

The cornea is the clear window that lets light enter the eye. Corneal blindness is estimated to affect 23 million individuals worldwide, and is treated by corneal transplantation to restore clarity. Advances in stem cell technology and tissue engineering have opened the door for regenerative therapies for people with damage to one or both corneas. We are interested in deriving functional progenitors from pluripotent stem cells, and understand how these cells mature, integrate, and function following transplantation.

Candidates should possess a Masters in Cell Biology, Bioengineering, and/or experience that demonstrates their affinity for the field. Candidates who have done a Bachelors degree in a country where it is the norm to directly enter a PhD afterwards (e.g. USA) are welcome to apply, but must demonstrate significant independent research experience. 

The projects will be customized for each candidate, but will likely involve (stem) cell biology, live cell imaging, nanotechnology, and next generation sequencing. In addition, there is an option for a 3-6 months training at a renowned stem cell laboratory in Venice, Italy. 

We are looking for creative thinkers who are prepared to take on highly challenging aims. The project will be very interdisciplinary, and will suit an ambitious candidate who likes a fast-paced environment. Excellent knowledge of scientific English for speaking, reading, and writing are required. Knowledge of Dutch is not required.

Fixed-term contract: 1 + 3 years.

For those unfamiliar with the Dutch PhD system, it is the norm to take 1 + 3 years to complete the laboratory work for the degree. PhD candidates are paid a salary and receive benefits along with an 8% holiday and 8.3% year-end bonus given annually. Candidates who need to relocate may be eligible for compensation. It is a full-time research degree, with only optional course work. The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO-NU). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply (see www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees)

Maastricht University

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

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

The PhD candidates will jointly supervised by Prof. Rudy Nuijts of the University Eye Clinic Maastricht and Dr. Vanessa LaPointe of the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine. 

The successful candidate will join the laboratory of Dr. LaPointe in the Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration in the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine (merln.maastrichtuniversity.nl). The MERLN Institute is newly opened at Maastricht University. We are a collaborative, international, and interdisciplinary group with diverse expertise, including biomaterials science, chemistry, tissue engineering, and cell biology. We share newly renovated laboratory facilities with modern equipment. We have a long history as leaders in the field of tissue engineering and are particularly well-known for our orientation towards translation research. 

The University Eye Clinic/Maastricht University Medical Center+ is one the largest academic department of ophthalmology in Europe. The department is built upon a strong foundation in medical education, research, and clinical care and is located in a state of the art Eye Tower. Our clinicians provide care ranging from routine to the very complex. Scientific work is focused on corneal diseases, cataract and glaucoma, driven by a mission to understand and discover the basis for these conditions, and develop treatments with a direct impact for patients and society.