Background

Moving from autologous to allogeneic cell therapies can alleviate the current disadvantages of state-of-the-art cell therapies by benefitting from more robust starting material, economies of scales, and 'off-the-shelf' product availability. In addition to biological research, realising the allogeneic approach requires process technological innovations for efficient production and purification, as well as process optimization for raw materials and implementation of process analytical technology.

This project is funded by the Pro2Tech Institute within Delft University of Technology to catalyze new research fields that allow multi-disciplinary research for the accelaration of novel technologies.

Research project

In this 2-year project, you will review the currently available modeling and simulation efforts for allogeneic cell therapy production processes. This will form the basis of novel process designs, process simulations, and comparison studies of different technologies for transfection/transduction, expansion, and separation technology. The assessment of different technologies will be done in combination with an gap assesment for process analytical technology (PAT) to faciliate future automated monitoring and control. 

Key focus points

• Simulation and PAT efforts for cell therapy products
• Modelling and technology needs for expansion and transfection/transduction
• Feasibility of different separation technology

This project will allow you to dive deep into the production of allogeneic cell therapy products and explore the solutions needed to advance this exciting new field. You will have the opportunity to further develop your scientific career by 1) being part of shaping a high level and novel research line, 2) developing bioprocessing solutions in a dynamic and cross-disciplinary research environment, and 3) the ability to apply creativity and conceptual thinking to answer pressing research questions. In addition, you can participate in educational activities as being a supervisor of BSc/MSc graduation projects.

Research group

The position will embedded in the Bioprocess Engineering section at the Department of Biotechnology and it is part of the Marieke Klijn group (Data-driven Bioprocess Design). You will be co-supervised by the Cees Haringa group (Model-Driven Process Development) as well as the Marcel Ottens group (Biopharmaceutical Processing, with an emphasis on DSP). This collaboration will provide you with a close connection to all the relevant expertise within the Bioprocess Engineering section.  

Preferred start date: September 2023

The ideal candidate is an ambitious, proactive, reflective, and result-driven researcher. We are looking for the following requirements:

• A PhD degree in an field relevant to the subject, such as biochemical engineering, (bio)process simulations, metabolic network simulations, or techno-economic studies.
• A BSc and/or MSc degree in an area relevant to subject, such as life sciences or biotechnology, is considered essential
• Programming and/or process modeling experience is considered essential
• Experience with biopharma-related topics is considered a plus
• Fluent in English (written and spoken)     

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Applied Sciences

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of highschool teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

Department of Biotechnology

Innovation is crucial to fulfil the potential of industrial biotechnology for sustainable production of fuels, chemicals, materials, food and feed. Similarly, scientific and technological advances in environmental biotechnology are needed to enable novel approaches to water purification, and ‘waste-to-product’ processes thus contributing to a circular economy. Increased fundamental knowledge encompassing enzymes, microorganisms and processes are essential for progress in this field. The Department of Biotechnology covers this research area and, based on new insights, selects, designs and tests new biobased catalysts, micro-organisms, and processes.

The position is available in the section Bioprocess Engineering.