PhD in Bioprinting of Vascularised Stem Cell-Derived Pancreatic Islets

In this PhD position, you will do research within the Biofabrication team with a specific focus on developing an engineered pancreatic endocrine construct to counter Type 1 diabetes.

Your job
Biofabrication is a relatively young field in which 3D fabrication technologies are used to generate living tissues by precisely patterning cells and biomaterials. In this project, funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO), you will join the Levato research group, located within the Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht. In particular, you will contribute to the development of a 3D-bioprinted, rapidly vacularising, stem cell-derived endocrine pancreatic construct to counter type 1 diabetes. You will develop light-responsive microgels for printing stem cell and organoid to generate pancreatic islets of Langerhans. With novel volumetric bioprinting techniques, you will investigate how mechanical and chemical factors of the engineered ECM affect pancreatic specification of stem cells.

You will be performing cutting-edge research and will have access to state-of-the-art facilities the Utrecht Biofabrication Facility. You will coordinate your work within an (inter)national network of collaborators, while working in an ambitious, motivated, multi-disciplinary team of veterinarians, clinicians, material scientists, biologists, and engineers. These technologies are highly novel, one-of-a-kind, and the project is expected to result in several highly impactful outputs.

Additionally, you will co-supervise BSc and MSc students during their internships and teaching opportunities will be available. You will be part of the Utrecht Graduate School of Life Sciences and will receive training, supervision, and guidance for both your research work and personal/professional development, which provides you with an excellent basis for an independent academic career.

• A position for a duration of four years;
• a working week of 36-40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

At the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine we train the veterinarians and researchers of the future, provide care for animals and conduct leading and societal relevant research. That is what we are good at. We see that the health and welfare of animals, humans and the environment are interconnected. By sharing our knowledge and working together, we make positive impact, both nationally and internationally. Our 1,500 students and 950 staff members inspire and strengthen each other. Our engagement connects us. The drive to, from an integral perspective, make the world a better place.

At the Department of Clinical Sciences, you will work alongside approximately 150 veterinarians and a similar number of support staff. Approximately two-thirds of the veterinarians are specialists in various disciplines; the remaining one-third consists of interns, residents and PhD students. Together we are responsible for the education of veterinary students, provision of clinical services to horses and companion animals, and both clinical and more fundamental research in the areas of regenerative medicine, locomotion, genetics and reproduction.

For more information, please contact dr. Riccardo Levato at r.levato@uu.nl or Pere Catala at p.catalaquilis@umcutrecht.nl.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.