PhD Position in Neuro-Musculoskeletal Cell-Materials Atlas

Welcome to Maastricht University
Are you excited about pioneering the future of regenerative medicine? Do you want to work at the crossroads of Regenerative Medicine, biomaterials, organoid biology and developmental biology? Join the MERLN Institute and help us shape tomorrow’s biomedical innovations as our new PhD candidate. 

PhD Position in Neuro-Musculoskeletal Cell-Materials Atlas

• Our goal: Integrating spatiotemporal imaging, lineage-resolved cell tracing, and spatially resolved single-cell transcriptomic and proteomic profiling to map how extracellular material environments shape neuro-musculoskeletal tissue development and regeneration.
• Your colleagues: An interdisciplinary team of biologists, chemists, and engineers within the MERLN Institute.

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to develop a cell-materials atlas of neuro-musculoskeletal development and regeneration. The project will investigate how musculoskeletal, neurovascular, and immune cell populations  interact with dynamic extracellular environments during tissue formation and repair. To address this, the PhD candidate will combine human stem cell-based 3D in vitro models with datasets from organismal studies, building on recent advances in developmental atlases, spatial omics, and multimodal computational analysis.

A central focus of the project will be the integration of spatiotemporal imaging, lineage and cell tracing, and single-cell spatial multi-omics, including transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, to resolve how cell states emerge, interact, and reorganize across time and space. AI- and machine-learning-based tools will be used to analyze imaging data, integrate multimodal datasets, map spatial niches, and compare in vitro observations with organismal reference programs.

The project will also develop predictive models of spatiotemporally resolved cell-materials interactions, linking extracellular material properties such as matrix composition, stiffness, degradability, and remodeling dynamics to tissue assembly and regenerative outcomes across musculoskeletal and neurovascular lineages. The resulting atlas will provide a foundation for understanding coordinated neuro-musculoskeletal development and regeneration and for the rational design of biomaterials for multi-tissue repair.

What you bring
It’s not about ticking boxes – it’s about who you are and what you bring to the team. Do you recognise yourself in the following?

• Academically grounded – You hold (or will soon obtain) a Master’s degree in biomaterials, bioinformatics, bioengineering, cell biology, developmental biology, biomedical engineering, or a related field.
• Interdisciplinary mindset – You enjoy working at the intersection of materials science, data analysis, programming and stem cell biology.
• Curious and creative – You are motivated to explore how engineered materials can influence organ development and regeneration.
• Collaborative by nature – You thrive in multidisciplinary and international research environments.
• Strong communicator – You have excellent scientific English skills, both spoken and written. Knowledge of Dutch is not required.

Candidates who have not yet completed their Master’s degree are welcome to apply, provided they clarify the expected completion timeline in their application.

What we offer
At Maastricht University, you will work in an international, open, and collaborative environment.
We offer:

•  A 4-year PhD position (1+3 year contract), starting with a one-year contract followed by a three-year extension upon positive evaluation.
• Your salary would be €3.059,- gross per month in the first year and up to €3.881,-  gross per month in the fourth year, according to the PhD salary scale.
• 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 vacation days per year (full-time) plus four additional university holidays.
• Flexible working hours and the possibility of hybrid working where the position allows.
• Opportunities for professional development through training programmes and research collaborations within the Drive-RM consortium.
• A close-knit international research community at the MERLN Institute.
• A good pension scheme via ABP, company fitness options, and access to university sports facilities.
• An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO-NU), supplemented by local university provisions.

About the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML)
FHML is committed to health in the broadest sense: from molecule to human, and from healthcare to prevention. We train healthcare professionals and researchers through innovative educational programmes and conduct groundbreaking research in health and well-being. As part of Maastricht UMC+ (MUMC+), our international and interdisciplinary community forms a unique collaboration between university and academic hospital, where education, research, and care come together.

About the MERLN Institute
MERLN brings together an international community of researchers from more than 25 nationalities and a wide range of disciplines. Our teams combine expertise in biomaterials, chemistry, tissue engineering, microfabrication, and cell biology to tackle complex challenges in regenerative medicine. With newly renovated laboratories and state-of-the-art facilities, MERLN provides an inspiring environment for interdisciplinary research and translational innovation.

Interested?
Want to know more about this position? Please contact Prof. Stefan Giselbrecht (s.giselbrecht@maastrichtuniversity.nl) and Prof. Martijn van Griensven (m.vangriensven@maastrichtuniversity.nl). The end date of the publication is 12th July 2026. 

Are you excited about pioneering the future of regenerative medicine and working on a systematic framework of a Neuro-Musculoskeletal Cell-Materials Atlas.

To apply, please upload:

• A motivation letter describing your interest in the project and your relevant experience
• A curriculum vitae (CV)
• The names and contact details of two referees

Apply now via the button below. We look forward to getting to know you!

Application timeline 
Candidates should expect to hear from us within a month of the deadline for applications. Video interviews will be scheduled for short-listed candidates. Those proceeding to the second interview round will be invited to attend an in-person interview. Your travel costs will be compensated. 

About Maastricht University
At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,300 students and 5,400 employees across 5 regional locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities for yourself and the world around you. Together, we can find the answers for tomorrow. 

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.