PhD on Liver preservation and regeneration using ex-situ machine perfusion

One of the research focus areas of the division of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) and Transplant Surgery is liver transplantation and machine preservation of donor livers. The research has a translational character and is a collaborative effort of clinicians, basic researchers and organ perfusionists.

Within the Convergence program there is collaboration with researchers at the Technical University of Delft. As a PhD candidate you will be involved in a project concerning further development of ex situ machine perfusion for liver regeneration. This project includes the development of a machine perfusion fluid that stimulates proliferation as well a new ‘organ chamber’ that will mimic more closely the natural anatomic position and movement of the liver in vivo. The research work will be conducted in collaboration with the Amsterdam UMC.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic PhD candidate. You are a team player, should be accurate, enterprising, and persevering. This is not a 9 to 5 job.

• You have a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering or Clinical Technology, or equivalent.
• You have good communicative skills in English writing and speech.
• Expertise in biomedical designing and/or machine perfusion is preferred.

The Erasmus MC is the largest academic hospital in the Netherlands and the prime national institute for organ transplantation medicine. One of the research lines of the department of Surgery is dedicated to liver transplantation and donor organ preservation. The research projects are translational and aim to increase of the number of suitable donor organs for transplantation as well as to improve outcome after liver transplantation. We have an active group of clinical organ perfusionists, surgeons and researchers that work at the forefront of machine perfusion research. Together we are pushing the boundaries in organ preservation and further advance machine perfusion technology. For this, we work together with industrial partners.