Postdoc Microengineered Devices for Organ-on-chip Platforms

Microengineered devices for organ-on-chip platforms.

Organ-on-chip technology is revolutionizing the potentiality of in-vitro models to become realistic recapitulations of in-vivo (patho)physiology, thus revoluzionizing pre-clinical drug development and screening. Most human organs and tissues have received an organ-on-chip treatment, whereby the engineered tissues and miniature organs are embedded in realistic synthetic microenvironments providing stimulation and continuous monitoring. A great variety of organ-on-chip devices is therefore available to tailor the technology to the specificities of the organs. However, such variety should not hamper the capacity to interconnect the devices and their ease of use. Modular organ-on-chip platforms are convenient vehicles to combine the variety of organs-on-chip under a standard user interface, as particularly represented by the Smart Multi-Well Plate developed in the European Moore4Medical program.

As part of a multi-partner follow-up European project, this research work will focus on developing microengineered devices for the next generation of the Smart Multi-Well Plate. The envisioned devices include microelectrodes arrays and other microfabricated solutions for electrical monitoring of tissue conditions, by means of transepithelial electric resistance and impedance spectroscopy measurements. In collaboration with the international project partners, the research will enable the exploration of innovative design solutions compatible with system constraints and requirements, the fabrication of the prototype devices, their functional characterization, and their integration within the next Smart Multi-Well Plate embodiment. The goal will be to extend and complement the functionality of the Smart Multi-Well Plate and hence demonstrate its suitability to successfully run models of a selected set of organs.

You will be part of the organ-on-chip group at ECTM, composed by more than 10 doctoral and post-doctoral researchers, and of the European project team, composed by both industrial and academic partners developing together the next-generation Smart Multi-Well Plate and its variants. The research will be conducted with the ample micro/nanofabrication resources available in TU Delft as well as in collaboration with the project partners.

As candidate, you have a PhD degree in electrical engineering, materials engineering, micro/nanoengineering, physics or related fields. We are looking for candidates who can realize creative new solutions for design and fabrication of devices, involving skills like experimental design, modeling, setup realization and electro-mechanical device characterization.

The collaboration both within the ECTM group of fellow researchers and with the diverse partners of the European project will give you the unique opportunity to learn a great deal, strengthen your research and managerial skills, and contribute to the next generation of modular and autonomous organ-on-chip platform, which is expected to have a significant impact in the perception and adoption of organ-on-chip technology in drug development and screening.

We are looking for a candidate that:

• Has a PhD degree in electrical engineering, physics, micro/nanoengineering, material science or related fields.
• Has experience and/or affinity with micro/nanofabrication technology.
• Likes to design and fabricate microsystems, and characterize their behavior.
• Comes up with creative new solutions for dealing with system constraints and requirements.
• Writes and contributes to scientific publications.
• Is a team player that likes to collaborate with colleagues from university and industry.
• Contributes to the supervision of PhD and MSc. students in the project.
• Is enthousiastic to work on exciting, ground-breaking biotechnology platforms with the aim to revolutionize organ-on-chip perception and foster its adoption in pre-clinical settings.

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

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service . This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme  for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

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!

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here  to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact dr. Massimo Mastrangeli, [email protected].

Please submit your CV, letter of motivation in which you outline your interest and suitability for this position, and include references for your profile. If possible, include relevant grades or other indicators of your relevant skills and suitability for this project, like written work, projects, hobbies or awards.

Please apply via the application button and submit your application as soon as possible, ultimately before April 30, 2024. The position will be closed as soon as a suitable candidate is found.

• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.