Postdoc position microfluidic mass production of therapeutic microgels

Job description

Are you passionate about combining microfluidic technology, material science, device engineering, and cell therapeutic strategies towards real-world applications? We offer an impactful postdoc position in the Leijten Laboratory within the Department of Bio Engineering Technologies as part of a recently funded National consortium (NWO-Perspectief: Recov Air). In this consortium, we develop novel delivery methods for lung therapeutics by microfluidic devices, nanomaterials, pharmacological compounds, advanced in vitro models, and therapeutic cells.

This approach represents a beyond-state-of-the-art solution to treat COPD.

You will use a highly advanced microfluidic devices that was recently invented in our department (patent pending) to next-generation micromaterials that will be used by the consortium partners for COPD therapy. You will explore the development and fabrication of the microfluidic device strategies to improve its functional performances and investigate the function of the produced (living) microgels. Moreover, you will investigate this novel microfluidic platform’s capacity for full aqueous (ATPS) production at MHz speeds, which will improve current production rates by multiple orders of magnitude.

This will be achieved by exploring a physics principle that was previously not used in microfluidic devices. Not only does this provide an exciting and unique fundamental academic challenges that pushes the limits of our knowledge, but it also offers immediate entrepreneurial/commercial applications that can be explored via valorisation of the patent. Furthermore, you will interface with a variety of clinicians, cell biologists and pharmacologists to explore a novel method for regenerating lung tissue.

You will therefore work on the multidisciplinary interface of microtechnology, materials science, physics, engineering, and (stem) cell biology. You will thereby be trained to develop a wide skill set, which will include microdevice fabrication, micromaterial production, cell encapsulation, advanced (photo) polymerization, materials characterization, state of the art cell culture, and writing high impact scientific publications. Moreover, it is possible for the postdoc to explore the possibility to found a spin-off company to valorise the patent and associate technology, for which UT can provide further skill training and support.

• You are an enthusiastic and highly motivated researcher;
• You hold a PhD degree in Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, Biomedical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Applied physics, 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 microfluidics, microtechnology, biomaterials, cell-biomaterial interaction;
• You have experience in microengineering, microdevice fabrication, (micro) materials characterization, and/or material visualization techniques. Experience in physics of fluids, hydrogels, cell culture, and advanced optical analysis techniques are considered as a benefit;
• You possess excellent social and communication skills, in academic as well as non-academic contexts;
• You have interest in entrepreneurial activities and motivation to start a spin-off company;
• 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 being flexible and stress-resistant.;
• You are fluent in English language skills, both in speaking and writing.

• As a postdoc at UT, you will be appointed to a fully-paid full-time position for two years, within an exciting scientific environment that is widely known for its excellence.
• 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 € 4.241,- to €5.538,- depending on education and experience.
• 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…