09/193 – 2 PhD positions in bone regeneration
The Faculty of Science and Technology (700 faculty members, 1100 students) offers a range of bachelor and master courses (NanoTechnology, Applied Physics, Chemical Engineering and Technical Medicine). The faculty’s research is organized in three of the university’s interdisciplinary research institutes: MESA+, MIRA, and IMPACT. These institutes increase the vitality of research by enabling collaboration between programs and disciplines, by providing shared facilities, and by attracting funding for joint projects. They also provide a conduit to industrial and other external partners.
2 Ph.D positions (4 years) in bone regeneration: development of novel materials and high-throughput screening of their biological performance
Job description
The department of Tissue Regeneration at the MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente (http://tr.tnw.utwente.nl/) is dedicated to develop new strategies for the treatment of bone and cartilage defects. Recently, our lab developed synthetic osteo-inductive ceramics, materials which are able to actively stimulate bone regeneration and which are now clinically evaluated as alternative for autologous bone grafting. Fueled by this, we are currently developing a new generation of inductive ceramics by further improving the inductive potential as well as the handling and mechanical properties.
In this project we are looking for two PhD students. One student will engage in development of a family of novel biomaterials, by modifying their physico-chemical properties and by the preparation of composites of ceramics and polymers. The other student will set up a high throughput screening system to evaluate the bone forming capacity of ceramics in vitro. Micro-array technology will be used to assess the biological response of stem cells to ceramics and be correlated to their ability to induce bone formation in animal models using bio-informatic analysis.
Requirements
We are now recruiting two PhD students. One candidate should have a Master’s degree in chemistry or engineering and affinity with biomaterials and orthopaedics. The other candidate, with a biomedical background should be keen to apply molecular biology to solve a medical problem. Expertise in bio-informatics is recommended.
Outstanding knowledge of scientific English both in speaking and in reading is required.
Terms of employment
The Tissue Regeneration Group, led by Prof. Clemens van Blitterswijk is a part of the MIRA – Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine at the University of Twente (http://tr.tnw.utwente.nl). We offer a top level research and academic environment with excellent opportunities for personal development. The assignment is for 4 years, with a go/no-go assessment at the end of the first year. The candidates are expected to finish the project with a PhD thesis and disseminate the results through publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences. The starting salary will be € 2042, – in the first year and up to € 2612, – gross per month in the last year.
Applications
Questions about the project on biomaterials development should be directed to Dr. Pamela Habibovic (p.habibovic@tnw.utwente.nl). For information about the high-throughput screening project, please contact Dr. Jan de Boer (j.deboer@tnw.utwente.nl).
Applications should consist of an application/motivation letter and a detailed CV. Please mention vacancy number 09/193.
Official announcement can be obtained at:
http://www.utwente.nl/vacatures/en/Academic%20Staff/09-193-eng.doc/
