Postdoc ultrasound-induced drug delivery to the brain

The project entails developing novel approaches to deliver drugs to the brain using ultrasound-triggered delivery systems. Within the project there is close collaboration with industry (Bether Encapsulates, InnoCore, and Solstice) and the project runs in parallel to other projects involving delivery and smart materials. The project involves fabrication and testing of antibubbles using clinically-relevant materials and approaches, in vitro testing for efficacy, and streamlining with companies to make the process ready for clinical translation.

The position requires knowledge across disciplines of chemistry, cell biology, drug delivery, and physics and the candidate should have a PhD degree in related areas.. Focus will be on physical chemistry of interfaces and drug delivery in cell culture systems. Knowledge about polymer chemistry, biodegradable systems, analytical tools such as HPLC, IR, UV-Vis, and imaging approaches such as SEM, TEM, and Fluorescence Microscopy (Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy) is required. It is desired to have cell biological expertise both theoretical and practical with preferably affinity to the blood-brain-barrier. The person we seek is highly motivated and able to work in between groups of various expertise and has affinity to clinical translation and working with companies. Excellent writing and communication skills are required as well as reporting skills for preparation of progress reports for the partners and funding agency.

We offer a position for 1 year for 36 hours a week, with a possibility to 2 year extension (total 3 years). The starting salary is dependent on your qualifications and relevant experience in scale 10 (max gross salary € 5.504,- based on a full-time position). In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay, and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC).

More information
Information about BBT: https://umcgresearch.org/w/biomaterials-and-biomedical-technology
Information about Groningen: http://portal.groningen.nl/en

At the department of Biomaterials & Biomedical Technology (BBT) at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) research focuses on the advancement of human health care from diagnosis to treatment. The mission of BBT is to conduct research and to provide training on the application of engineering and biomaterials in the human body. Our focus is on pre-clinical research, as well as clinically oriented research and education conducted in collaboration with clinical departments. We aim to restore function in patients with irreversible loss of function, which cannot be achieved by natural bodily processes, using biomaterials, or to prevent potential loss of function by developing improved diagnostic methods, imaging techniques and robotic surgery.

BBT is part of the central UMCG campus in the vibrant university city Groningen, in the North of the Netherlands and offers a highly international environment with more than half of the employees being non-Dutch.

Patrick van Rijn, p.van.rijn@umcg.nl
Inge Zuhorn, i.zuhorn@umcg.nl