PhD Position Investigating Cellular Dynamics in Engineered Cartilage

Job description

We are seeking a PhD researcher for a 4-year PhD trajectory to develop engineered (osteoarthritic: OA) cartilage models, characterize their mechanical properties, and study cellular responses to various types of stimuli in the developed models.

As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will be supervised by Dr. Nazli Tümer and Prof. Amir Zadpoor within the Biomaterials and Tissue Biomechanics Section, Department of Biomechanical Engineering at TU Delft, supplemented by input from several other faculty members within the section. You will collaborate closely with members of the LoaD project: Healthy Loading to combat osteoarthritis, led by Prof. Gerjo van Osch, and funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

This position offers numerous opportunities for academic growth through coursework, mentoring BSc/MSc students, participation in consortia, presenting at conferences, attending workshops, and engaging in teaching activities.

Job requirements

You should have:

• MSc in biomechanical engineering, bionanoscience, or a related discipline by the start date of the position (December 2024).
• Proven knowledge of solution methods for bioprinting.
• Knowledge of, or strong interest in, cell biology and cell mechanics.
• Experience in collecting experimental data (e.g., mechanical characterization, optical image acquisition).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

The following aspects will help you stand out:

• Ability to thrive in multidisciplinary environments.
• Self-motivated and driven.
• Curiosity-driven working attitude.
• Knowledge of cell biology, cell mechanics, and optical imaging.
• Experience with image analysis.

Keep in mind that this describes the background we imagine would best fit the role. Even if you do not meet all the requirements and feel that you are up for the task, we absolutely want to see your application! The PhD process is a learning experience

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Faculty Mechanical Engineering

From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 4 years.
• A job of 36-40 hours per week.
• A salary based on Promovendus of the CAO for Dutch Universities with a salary between €2872 - €3670 gross per month based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.