A large portion of the annual neonatal deaths, worldwide more than 2 million, is attributed to disturbed neonatal takeover of placental functions due to disease or immaturity. Current medical treatments for these babies originate from adult medicine and are not suitable for all. Why? Because babies are not just small adults! In fact, the applied treatments are very invasive and cause side effects by damaging their sensitive bodies. In fact, survivors often suffer from life-long complications or cannot live independently.

The ArtPlac EU Pathfinder 4-year consortium project aims to establish a radical change in the treatment of new-borns. In utero, the placenta is a life-giving organ and serves as fetal lung, fetal kidney, and feeder. Because the placenta cannot be reconnected after preterm birth, ArtPlac aims to continue the placental support with a compact and miniaturized all-in-one artificial placenta device. This will provide lung and kidney support while the baby can breathe, mature, and heal.

The PhD candidate will focus on development, characterization, and implementation of hollow fiber membranes for the ArtPlac device.

• We require a candidate with a MSc degree in biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, or related field.
• Knowledge or experience in membrane science and technology is preferred.
• You should be able to work independently and have excellent theoretical, experimental, and writing skills.
• Excellent English writing and presentation skills are required.
• You will mentor BSc and MSc students and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary team members. It is therefore essential to show willingness to look beyond disciplinary boundaries.

• Fulltime position for 4 years.
• The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in a stimulating scientific environment.
• The starting salary, depending on your experience, ranges between € 2.541,- and € 3.247,-.
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• The number of holiday hours for full-time employment is 232 hours per calendar year.

The AOT consists of 3 research chairs:

1. Biomaterials and regenerative medicine,
2. (Bio)artificial organs,
3. Engineered therapeutics.

Its mission is:

1. To provide innovative technological solutions to patients suffering from chronic and malignant diseases to gain a longer, better and healthier life.
2. To provide excellent education to a new generation of professionals with interdisciplinary knowledge able to meet the needs for the next century related to patient treatment.

This mission is achieved through the application of state-of-the-art technologies at the interface of chemistry, biomaterials and membrane science, additive manufacturing, biofabrication, tissue engineering and nanomedicine. AOT combines unique expertise spanning the fields of (bio)artificial organs, targeted therapeutics and biomaterials and regenerative medicine. Our activities are embedded in challenging and interactive training programs for bachelor and master students and graduate and post-graduate students. We strive to implement innovative technologies from the benchtop to the clinic, and to valorize our findings via initiating new spin-off companies.

The University of Twente stands for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which drives change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university in the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. The University of Twente has a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out pioneering research.