Postdoc Position in Synthetic Cell for Artificial Kidney Development

Postdoc Position in Synthetic Cell for Artificial Kidney Development

Utrecht University - Faculty of Science

Utrecht, Netherlands

Your job

Patients whose kidneys fail, unfortunately die within days or weeks without replacement therapy. Current replacement therapies have severe shortcomings. Kidney transplantation is not available for 25% of the patients, while eligible patients wait years for donor kidneys, and recipients require lifelong immunosuppression and experience still complications. Many patients, therefore, depend on dialysis. However, dialysis only mimics the filtration by the glomeruli (biological nanofilters) and does not replace functionality of the kidney tubules. The latter is essential to actively remove metabolic waste/toxins that cannot be cleared via filtration.

Your aim in this position will be to develop synthetic cells that mimic tubular function by integrating transport proteins in lipid membranes. Furthermore, the ultimate long-term goal is to integrate these cells in a dialysis machines.

The objectives for this position are to:

• Formulate synthetic cells with integrated and functional transmembrane organic ion transporters;
• Develop a protein-based sensor for intracellular toxin detection;
• Integrate synthetic cells on dialysis membranes and set the first steps towards prototype development.

You will work in the research groups of Roos Masereeuw (division of Pharmacology) and Tina Vermonden (division of Pharmaceutics), bridging two divisions and fostering interdisciplinary research. As part of this project, you will also be embedded in a consortium, offering strong opportunities for collaboration with scientists and companies working in liposome technology, cell-free protein production, sensor development, clinical nephrology, and medical decision-making.

Your qualities

You are an enthusiastic researcher who is eager to learn new techniques, does not shy away from challenges and thrives in a collaborative environment. In addition, you bring the following qualifications:

• a PhD-degree in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology or related discipline;
• demonstrated experience in at least one of the following areas: synthetic cell formulation (e.g. liposome or polymersomes) or cell-free protein expression/engineering;
• experience with or a strong interest in synthetic cells and biomedical device development;
• strong motivation, flexibility, and the ability to run multiple projects simultaneously;
• strong verbal and written English communication skills (C1 level or higher), with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.