PhD-student position mass production of pancreatic organoids using microfluidic micromaterials

PhD-student position on mass production of pancreatic organoids using microfluidic micro materials

Are you passionate about combining material science, microfluidic technology and biofabrication strategies towards real-world applications? We offer an impactful PhD-student position in the Leijten Laboratory within the Department of Bio Engineering Technologies as part of a recently funded National consortium (ENW-XL, PanCreaTE). In this consortium, we will engineer functional Pancreata by combining iPSCs, organoid-forming micro materials, and volumetric 3D bioprinting. This approach represents a beyond-state-of-the-art solution to engineer living functional tissues with function-endowing architectures to treat patients suffering from type‑2 diabetes.

You will use highly advanced microfluidic devices to produce immunoprotective hollow hydrogel microcapsules that will form iPSC‑derived pancreatic organoids. You will explore different strategies to improve the functional performances of the in‑capsule organoid formation. Moreover, you will pioneer the annealing of the organoid‑forming microgels into large microporous living materials that contain perfusable capillary‑like networks. Furthermore, you will combine these fabrication strategies with light‑based volumetric biofabrication to create implantable engineered pancreata.

You will therefore work on the multidisciplinary interface of microtechnology, materials science, (stem)‑cell biology, and additive manufacturing. You will thereby be trained to develop a wide skill set, which will include tissue engineering, 3D bioprinting, bioink development, advanced photopolymerization, materials characterization, induced pluripotent cell culture and differentiation, and writing high‑impact scientific publications.

• You are an enthusiastic and highly motivated researcher;
• You hold a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, Biomedical Sciences, or an equivalent master’s education;
• You have excellent analytical skills and an innate ability for solution‑oriented problem solving;
• You have strong interests in (microfluidic) microtechnology, biomaterials, cell‑biomaterial interaction, pancreas biology, tissue engineering and/or biofabrication;
• You have experience in microengineering, material synthesis, materials characterization, and/or material visualization techniques. Experience in hydrogels, iPSC culture, and advanced optical imaging techniques are considered a benefit;
• You possess excellent social and communication skills, in academic as well as non‑academic contexts;
• You love working in a team in which fundamental and applied research cross‑fertilize;
• You have a creative and critical attitude, combined with perseverance and flexibility and stress‑resistance;
• You are fluent in English, both in speaking and writing.

• As a PhD student at UT, you will be appointed to a fully‑paid full‑time position for four years, with a qualification in the first year, within an exciting scientific environment;
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO‑NU);
• You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from €3,059 (first year) to €3,881 (fourth year);
• There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end‑of‑year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full‑time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full‑time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis;
• You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School, where you and your supervisors will determine a personalized plan for suitable education and supervision;
• A family‑friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid).

Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before 31st of January 2026, and include:

• A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, motivations to apply for this position.…