Postdoctoral Researcher 'Dynamic Organ-on-Chip Systems for In Vitro Bone Tissue Modeling'

Job description

Take the next step in your scientific career as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Dynamic Organ-on-Chip Systems for In Vitro Bone Tissue Modeling and contribute to groundbreaking research at the interface of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

In the body, cells are constantly exposed to physical cues from their surroundings, and these cues change as tissues form and mature. Current in vitro models are largely static and cannot reproduce these dynamic cues. In this project, we address this gap by combining responsive biomaterials with a high-throughput organ-on-chip platform, allowing physical cues to be tuned on demand during culture. You will use this approach to build human in vitro bone tissue models for studying bone formation and for screening new therapies.

Your main responsibilities will be to:

• Adapt, optimize, and operate a patent-pending organ-on-chip platform for long-term 3D cell culture.
• Integrate responsive biomaterials into the platform and evaluate their cytocompatibility.
• Differentiate stem cells into osteogenic cells and establish human in vitro bone tissue models.
• Characterize cellular and tissue responses using a multiscale analytical approach, including confocal microscopy, gene expression analysis, and histology.
• Validate the bone tissue models using established bone therapeutics.
• Disseminate your findings through publications in leading peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences.
• (Co-)supervise students and contribute to the organization of the laboratory.
• Engage with industrial partners and contribute to the translation of the technology toward preclinical applications.

The position is offered initially for one year, with the possibility of extension. The intended start date is 1 January 2027.

Place of work

You will join the Diba Lab, part of the Regenerative Biomaterials unit located in the Department of Dentistry at Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc) in Nijmegen, within the Research Institute for Medical Innovation. Our lab develops dynamic biomaterials and organ-on-chip systems, bringing an engineering approach to biomedical research. You will work in a 680 m² laboratory with modern equipment and the support of experienced technicians, in close collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.

Profile

• A PhD in biomedical engineering, (bio)mechanical or chemical engineering, applied physics, materials science, (bio)chemistry, cell biology, or a related field.
• Candidates nearing completion of their PhD are also encouraged to apply, provided their thesis is approved for defense by the start date.
• Strong expertise in at least one of the following areas, and the motivation to build expertise in the other two:
• Microfluidics or organ-on-chip systems.
• 3D cell culture or cell mechanobiology.
• Hydrogel design and characterization.
• A track record of first-author publications in international peer-reviewed journals.
• Interest in translation and entrepreneurship is an advantage.
• Excellent written and spoken English, and the ability to work both independently and in a multidisciplinary team.

Good to know

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early application is encouraged.
• Please include the names and contact details of two references in your CV.
• This position requires a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).