PhD position: Innovations approach methodologies cartilage biology

Are you passionate about transforming biomedical research and making an impact on musculoskeletal research? Do you want to play a key role in advancing human-based alternatives to animal models in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis research? Do you like to develop and validate new assays and models in cartilage biology?

PhD student position:
Innovations in new approach methodologies for cartilage biology

• Our goal
  :
  At the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Maastricht University, we are driven by one mission: to improve mobility and quality of life through innovative clinical care, research, and education.
• Your colleagues
  :
  The Molecular Cartilage Biology research group (Lead: Prof. Dr. Tim Welting) at the Laboratory for Experimental Orthopedics pushes boundaries in disease modeling, biomolecular therapies, and patient-specific diagnostics for osteoarthritis.

Why This Project Matters

Osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent and disabling chronic conditions worldwide. No effective drug treatments currently exist due to the poor predictive power of small animal models.
Ombion ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) – a national initiative funded by the Nationaal Groeifonds (NGF) – is focused on replacing animal testing with innovative, human-based cell culture models that better predict therapy responsiveness. This Ombion project brings together top-tier academic institutions (Maastricht University, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Utrecht University, UMC Utrecht) and industry partners to revolutionize preclinical research in musculoskeletal disease.

Within Ombion our Osteoarthritis/Rheumatoid Arthritis Transition Project
, led by Prof. Dr. Tim Welting
, aims to develop validated human-based in vitro cell culture models in 2D and 3D (on chip technologies). These culture models will be developed in a manner that makes them compatible with different levels of musculoskeletal biomedical research: from high-throughput assays instrumental for drug discovery programs to advanced organoid-like models for disease modelling. This PhD student vacancy specifically relates to the work package, led by Dr.

Marjolein Caron
, in which various culture models and measurement methods will be developed focused on cartilage cells and tissues for the purpose of target identification, drug screenings, response-to-treatment, toxicity, patient stratification, and diagnostics. These models will be developed in 2D and 3D to simulate the different levels of biological complexity within the joint cartilage tissue. These new approach methodologies (NAMs) will be used to generate preclinical data that reduce the need for animal testing and may be adopted by regulatory agencies.

The development of these models will be catalysed by the unique availability of a large collection of primary patient cartilage cells, cartilage cell lines and cartilage tissue present in our department.

What you do

We are looking for a driven and organized PhD student (work package
3) with a background in biomedical or life sciences. You will play a crucial role in this ambitious project, helping to shift the paradigm in translational orthopedic research.

Key responsibilities:

• Designing and conducting laboratory experiments.
• Analyzing experimental data generated in the lab & published datasets.
• Co‑authoring academic publications with the supervisory team.
• Presenting your work at (international) conferences and workshops.
• Collaborating closely with Ombion project members.
• Contributing to teaching activities such as tutoring or supervising internship students.

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you
.

What you bring

We’re not looking for check boxes; we’re interested in who you are and what you bring. Do you recognize yourself in this?

• MSc in biomedical or life sciences (required).
• Laboratory experience (e.g. cell culture, gene & expression measurements).
• A keen interest in contributing to scientific innovation in human disease modelling.
• Ability to translate complex scientific content into actionable plans.
• Contribute to laboratory‑based research in molecular cartilage biology.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Enthusiasm…