The MERLN Institute for Technology-inspired Regenerative Medicine at Maastricht University in the Netherlands invite applications for a PhD position to work on a H2020 EU funded project on Bioprinting on-chip microphysiological models of humanized kidney tubolointerstitium.

​The PhD candidate will perform cutting-edge research in methods applied to the development of in vitro models, and more specifically bioprinting approaches for the creation of in vitro renal models.  PhD candidates will perform their research in an intellectually vibrant and multi-disciplinary environment.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree with excellent grades from his/her previous studies and courses along with experience in one or more of the relevant fields (e.g. Biofabrication, Biomedical Engineering, Biology, Biotechnology, or equivalent title).
• Scientific background.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as in a team.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are mandatory.
• Knowledge of Dutch is not required.

Key expertise:

• Experience in the fields of biofabrication, in vitro model development, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
• Experience with Bioprinting, bioinks preparation and characterization.
• Cell culture expertise and relevant assays.
• Knowledge in biomaterials science.  
• Knowledge and experience with microscopy, image processing and analysis.  

What we offer:

• Position in a research institute with cutting-edge biofabrication technologies such as bioprinting and a multitude of additive manufacturing technologies.
• Interdisciplinary position and environment within MERLN and with the project partners.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

The full-time position is offered for four years (1+3), with a yearly evaluation. Your salary would be € 2.395,- gross per month in the first year up to € 3.061,- gross per month in the fourth year according to the PhD-candidate salary scale. 

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

Maastricht University

Maastricht University (UM) is the most international university in the Netherlands and, with more than 20,000 students and 4,700 employees, is still growing. The university stands out for its innovative education model, international character and multidisciplinary approach to research and education. Thanks to its high-quality research and study programs as well as a strong focus on social engagement, UM has quickly built up a solid reputation. Today it is considered one of the best young universities in the world.

Maastricht is the southernmost city in the Netherlands, and is the capital of the province of Limburg. Situated on the Maas river, within walking distance of Belgium and cycling distance of Germany, it claims to be the oldest city in the Netherlands (a claim it shares with Nijmegen). A great place to spend some time, it contains some magnificent buildings and culture, taking the form of plenty of old houses and buildings, lovely cathedrals and a spectacularly cobblestoned town centre. The city is also

MERLN Institute

The MERLN Institute for Technology-inspired Regenerative Medicine (https://merlninstitute.com/) focuses on developing novel and challenging technologies to advance the field of tissue and organ repair and regeneration through, amongst others, the development of high-throughput material platforms to screen cell-biomaterial interactions. MERLN consists of an interdisciplinary team of researchers including fields as (stem cell) biology, materials engineering, chemistry, micro/nanofabrication, additive manufacturing, etc. The scientists at MERLN have an extensive network of collaborators within research institutions in and outside the Netherlands as well as with a number of biomedical companies, including their own spin-off companies, as entrepreneurship is highly fostered.