Postdoc in Stem Cell Technology and Biofabrication

Postdoc in Stem Cell Technology and Biofabrication

Utrecht University - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Utrecht, Netherlands

Your job

In this Postdoc position, you will develop (pluripotent) stem cell and organoid culture systems to generate pancreatic islets of Langerhans. You will investigate the potential of a novel volumetric bioprinting technique to understand how mechanical and chemical factors affect pancreatic specification and to generate a rapidly vascularising pancreatic construct to counter diabetes.

You will perform cutting-edge research that merges synthetic biology strategies, gene editing tools, new ultra-fast light-based volumetric bioprinting technologies, and engineered stem cells to produce vascularised, centimetre-scale pancreatic organoids. These will serve as models to test new therapies against diabetes and as regenerative grafts for transplantation. These technologies are highly novel and one-of-a-kind, and the project is expected to result in several highly impactful publications.

You will coordinate your work within an (inter)national network of collaborators, while working in an ambitious, motivated, and multi-disciplinary team of veterinarians, clinicians, material scientists, biologists, and engineers. You will also participate in the co-supervision of PhD candidates. We offer an exciting opportunity to contribute to an ambitious and international research programme within a highly motivated team, and to conduct your work at a renowned research university. Teaching opportunities are available, if desired.

You will receive training, personal supervision, and guidance for your research, career development, and acquisition of personal funding, providing an excellent basis for an independent academic career.

Your qualities

• You have a PhD in biology, biotechnology, bioengineering, synthetic biology, or in a related area.
• You have proven expertise on and experience with induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies. Experience with endoderm specification of iPSC, stem cell-derived pancreatic islets, and with vascular cell production from iPSC will be positively evaluated.
• You are motivated to apply these technologies to biomedical research and to openly collaborate with a diverse team of biologists, chemists and clinicians.
• Experience with CRISPR-Cas9 and gene editing technologies, and/or with synthetic biology and optogenetics will be positively evaluated.
• Affinity with perfusion bioreactors, soft tissue engineering, hydrogel-based 3D culture, bioprinting and regenerative medicine will be positively evaluated.
• You are a quick learner and you thrive in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• You are able to communicate effectively scientific ideas, foster collaboration and independent thinking.
• You are knowledgeable in your field and committed to keep up with the recent advances in the literature.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English is required.

Apply NowDeadline 1 August