PhD in Regenerative Orthopedics

Opportunity for two highly motivated PhD candidates to join the Ombion project!

Your job
The Ombion project, formally known as Centre for Animal-Free Biomedical Translation, is funded by the National Growth Funds and aims to accelerate the transition to animal-free biomedical innovations. Together with a large number of national and international partners, Ombion will work on the development and dissemination of animal-free biomedical innovations and expertise within four Transition Projects: ALS, cystic fibrosis, asthma & COPD, and Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Within the project you will focus on the development of new platforms for osteoarthritis research, including advanced in vitro and ex vivo culture models. With these models we strive to reduce and replace animal experiments while working towards the development of new and improved drugs that can effectively treat patients that suffer from the consequences of osteoarthritis. This project builds upon our existing methods, complemented by the methods, tools and expertise of collaborating researchers and companies within Ombion.

You will be working in the Regenerative Orthopedics research group headed by Prof. Marianna Tryfonidou. We are a young, international, and multidisciplinary research team of three assistant professors, four postdocs, six PhD candidates, three supporting staff members, and students.

Our main focus is on low back pain and joint diseases with a clear focus on translational research of new therapies. Our research group is embedded in the Regenerative Medicine Utrecht collaboration and housed at the Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht within the Hubrecht Institute.

There are two PhD positions available. You will be working closely together with each other as well as other research groups, e.g., Prof. Jeffrey Beekman (UMCU) for high-throughput screening and Prof. Tim Welting (Maastricht UMC+) for cell reporters. This role also involves co-supervision, together with your daily supervisor, of Bachelor's and Master's students in their practical and thesis assignments.

During your PhD trajectory, you will experience working in a (inter)-national collaborative project with both academic partners as well as life-sciences companies. You will also enroll in the Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS) Regenerative Medicine programme, and will be working in a supporting team environment where there is room for your personal development.

• A position for one year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year;
• a working week of 36-40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,059 and €3,881 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;
• preferred starting date: January 2026

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. 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 candidates. 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.