PostDoc Position MERLN | nanocomposite biomaterials for hard tissue regeneration

PostDoc Position MERLN | nanocomposite biomaterials for hard tissue regeneration
PostDoc Position MERLN | nanocomposite biomaterials for hard tissue regeneration

Published	Deadline	Location
22 Feb	14 Mar	Maastricht

Job description

The MERLN Institute for Technology-inspired Regenerative Medicine at Maastricht University in the Netherlands invites applications for a Postdoc (PD) position. The PD researcher will perform a cutting-edge interdisciplinary research project to develop self-healing nanocomposite biomaterials with high mechanical properties and controlled drug delivery.

Regenerative medicine (RM) holds the promise to cure many of what are now chronic patients, restoring health rather than protracting decline, bettering the lives of millions and at the same time preventing lifelong, expensive care processes: cure instead of care. Biomaterials able to support regenerative processes is a powerful approach in the field of RM and the scientific community has made large steps over the past decade, especially with the development of self-healing biomaterials. However, current self-healing materials lack mechanical properties for their application in harder tissues such as cartilage and bone. Moreover, to optimally support the healing process such biomaterials need to provide biological signals with spatio-temporal control. This research project aims to develop new types of nanocomposite materials by using nanoparticles as active building blocks in the materials. These nanoparticles can be further optimized for responsive drug delivery to promote specific tissue responses. As such, this project aims to create new nanocomposite materials with self-healing and high mechanical strength based on nanoparticles and hydrogels with drug delivery capabilities.

Project description:

• Nanoparticle synthesis, surface functionalization and characterization
• Biomaterial characterization incl. rheometry
• In vitro work including 3D cell culture assays and fluorescent microscopy imaging

What we offer:

• Excellent experimental facilities
• Interdisciplinary and international environment within MERLN and the “Materials-driven regeneration (MDR)-consortium”

Project embedding:

The project will be coordinated by the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine (http://merln.maastrichtuniversity.nl/ ) as part of the “Materials-driven regeneration (MDR)-consortium” (see http://www.mdrresearch.nl/ for more information) which brings together an interdisciplinary team of excellent scientists at three leading institutes (ICMS at Eindhoven University of Technology, RMU at Utrecht University and MERLN at Maastricht University). The central goal of MDR’s research program is to investigate, design and use intelligent biomaterials that drive the functional regeneration of living tissues and organs under complex (patho)physiological conditions.

Specifications

• max. 38 hours per week
• €2960—€4670 per month
• Maastricht View on Google Maps

Maastricht University (UM)

Requirements

• PhD in chemistry, materials engineering, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, or equivalent
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as in a team
• Experience with nanomaterial synthesis, modification and characterization
• Experience with cell culture and in vitro work is preferred
• Affinity with the field of regenerative medicine
• Strong scientific background and publication record
• Interest in co-supervising bachelor, master and PhD students
• Good oral and written English communication

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: 3 years.

The position is temporary for the duration of the project (3 years).

Depending on experience and qualification, the gross monthly salary is scale 10 (max. € 4,670), based on a full-time appointment. An 8% holiday and an 8.3% year-end allowance is also provided.

In addition to good primary employment conditions, UM also offers an attractive package of secondary employment conditions.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl  > About UM > Working at UM.

Employer
Maastricht University (UM)

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 22,000 students and 5,000 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.
For more information, visit www.maastrichtuniversity.nl .

Maastricht University (UM) is the most international university in the Netherlands and is still growing. The university stands out for its innovative education model, international character and multidisciplinary approach to research and education. Thanks to its high-quality research and study programs as well as a strong focus on social engagement, UM has quickly built up a solid reputation. Today it is considered one of the best young universities in the world.

Maastricht is the southernmost city in the Netherlands, and is the capital of the province of Limburg. Situated on the Maas River, within walking distance of Belgium and cycling distance of Germany, it claims to be the oldest city in the Netherlands (a claim it shares with Nijmegen). A great place to spend some time, it contains some magnificent buildings and culture, taking the form of plenty of old houses and buildings, lovely cathedrals and a spectacularly cobblestoned town center. The city is also well known for its fine cuisine, excellent shops and multicultural atmosphere.

Department
MERLN

The MERLN Institute for Technology-inspired Regenerative Medicine focuses on developing novel and challenging technologies to advance the field of tissue and organ repair and regeneration through, amongst others, the development of high-throughput material platforms to screen cell-biomaterial interactions. MERLN consists of an interdisciplinary team of researchers including fields as (stem cell) biology, materials engineering, chemistry, micro/nanofabrication, additive manufacturing, etc. The scientists at MERLN have an extensive network of collaborators within research institutions in and outside the Netherlands as well as with a number of biomedical companies, including their own spin-off companies, as entrepreneurship is highly fostered.

Additional information

For more detailed information you can contact:
Dr. Sabine van Rijt, email [email protected] .

To apply at this vacancy, press the button ‘apply now’ to see the application procedure.

Working at Maastricht University

Maastricht University distinguishes itself with its innovative education model, international character and multidisciplinary approach to research and education.

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Apply via postal mail
Apply via postal mail

[email protected]

Don't forget to mention AcademicTransfer and the job number: AT2023.93 in your letter.

Back to the vacancy
Application procedure

The application should contain:

• Cover letter with motivation, fit and preferred starting date
• CV
• Contact information of two references

Send your application, stating the vacancy number AT2023.93, by email to:
[email protected]

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.

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