Preliminary experiments showing how
rat tenocytes obey to the underlying
ring-shaped collagen pattern left by an
evaporating droplet.Interfacial flows in evaporating liquid droplets can form remarkably complex deposition patterns of suspended microparticles or polymers. In this PhD project we will unravel how the flows inside an evaporating droplet cause the aggregation of the biopolymer collagen, and how the patterns formed can be used to control the function of eukaryotic cells.

The project will be carried out in the team of Dr. Hanneke Gelderblom, assistant professor in the Fluids and Flows group at the department of Applied Physics. The team focusses on capillary flow phenomena in liquids containing biological or living matter. The PhD project will be embedded within the Immuno-engineering program of the Institute of Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS). Within the project you will closely collaborate with the Soft Matter and Biological Physics group within the department of Applied Physics and with researchers from the department of Biomedical Engineering, who focus on using structured collagen substrates to study the behaviour of cells in healthy and diseased tissue. Besides research you will also contribute to education. Apart from supervising BSc and MSc students in their research projects, other assistance in education, e.g. in bachelor courses, is usually limited to about 5% of your contract time.

• A master's degree (or an equivalent university degree) in (bio)physics or fluid dynamics
• Experience in theoretical/numerical modelling in fluid dynamics/ biophysics/soft-matter physics
• Affinity with experimental fluid dynamics/ biophysics/soft-matter physics
• Pro-active and collaborative mentality
• Eager to learn
• Good organization and communication skills
• Fluent in spoken and written English.

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.