PhD Candidate in Biomaterials Engineering

Job summary

This position involves a 3-year PhD program focused on the development of self-assembling peptide-based biomaterials aimed at modulating macrophage responses for improved tendon regeneration. The role is part of an ERC Starting Grant project and requires on-site work.

Qualifications

• MSc degree in physical chemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, nanotechnology, biomedicine, immunology, or related fields.
• Interest or hands-on experience in designing or characterizing self-assembling peptides or proteins.
• Experience in a physical chemistry lab and with mammalian cell culture.
• Strong English communication skills, both written and spoken.
• Highly motivated, structured, and capable of working independently as well as in teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, evaluate, and characterize new injectable self-assembling peptide biomaterials.
• Investigate biological pathways of macrophage polarization through functional assays and participate in omics analysis.
• Evaluate enzymatic degradation pathways of peptides and their biological roles in immune signaling.
• Utilize advanced imaging techniques to analyze interactions between peptides and macrophages.
• Contribute to the supervision of B.Sc./M.Sc. students and engage in teaching and collaborative projects.

Skills

• Familiarity with biomaterials characterization techniques and mammalian cell characterization methods is advantageous.

Education

• Completion of a study program of 30 ECTS points is required, along with participation in teaching and dissemination activities.

Tools

• Experience with techniques such as PCR, ELISAs, flow cytometry, mass spectrometry, and various imaging methods is beneficial.