PhD Positions in Next-Generation In Vitro Models of Musculoskeletal Tissues & Interfaces

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2 PhD Positions in Next-Generation In Vitro Models of Musculoskeletal Tissues Including Bone and Bone–Soft Tissue Interfaces

• Our goal: Advancing next-generation human in vitro models for musculoskeletal tissue regeneration.
• Your colleagues: An interdisciplinary team of researchers within the MERLN Institute, working at the interface of biology, engineering, and medicine.

We are seeking two highly motivated PhD candidates to join the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine at Maastricht University. You will contribute to an ambitious interdisciplinary research program focused on advancing innovative strategies for musculoskeletal tissue regeneration, with a particular emphasis on bone and bone–soft tissue interfaces.

PhD Project 1. A Multicellular Organ-on-Chip Model to Investigate Inflammation Mechanisms in Tendon, Ligament, and Enthesis

Disorders of tendons, ligaments, and their interface with bone, i.e., entheses, are major contributors to chronic musculoskeletal pain. However, the mechanisms linking mechanical loading, inflammation, and pain signaling remain incompletely understood, partly due to the lack of physiologically relevant experimental models. This project aims to develop an advanced multicellular organ-on-chip platform that recapitulates the structural, cellular, and biomechanical microenvironment of tendon, ligament and their entheses. The system will enable controlled induction and monitoring of inflammatory processes and associated mechanisms, serving as a tool for mechanistic studies and preclinical therapeutic testing.

PhD Project 2. Engineering Multicellular 3D In Vitro Models to Elucidate Bone Regeneration Mechanisms

Large bone defects and non-unions remain significant clinical challenges, reflecting an incomplete understanding of the complex biological processes governing bone regeneration. Critical factors such as stem cell dynamics, inflammatory signaling and vascularization interact in a tightly regulated manner, and their crosstalk is further influenced by pathological conditions. This project focuses on the development of multicellular, miniaturized 3D in vitro bone models incorporating key components of the regenerative niche, including stem cell, immune and vascular niches, as well as engineered periosteal-like tissues. Using spheroids, organoids, and organ-on-chip technologies, the project aims to dissect cellular interactions during homeostasis and to identify mechanisms that initiate and regulate bone regeneration.

Your role

By joining these projects, you will contribute to the development of next-generation human 3D in vitro models. If you are a curious and analytical Master’s graduate with a background in Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline, and you aspire to uncover how complex biological processes in the human body are regulated using cutting-edge, human-relevant tissue models, we encourage you to apply. Within these positions, you will:

• Pioneer innovative in vitro platforms for studying inflammation, stem cell migration, vascularization and regenerative processes in bone and bone–soft tissue interfaces.
• Characterize multicellular crosstalk and biological processes in musculoskeletal tissues using the developed systems.
• Access state-of-the-art facilities and resources for your research.
• Collaborate within a highly interdisciplinary team, where scientific excellence, creativity, and intellectual curiosity are actively fostered.
• Disseminate your findings through scientific publications and international conferences.

Your profile

It’s not about ticking boxes – it’s about who you are and what you bring. Do you recognize yourself in this?

• Strong academic foundation – You hold a Master’s degree in Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field.
• Excellent academic performance – You have an excellent academic track record, ranking among the top performers of your cohort.
• Theoretical knowledge – You possess solid theoretical knowledge in tissue engineering, in vitro models of human organs and tissues, musculoskeletal biology, biomaterials and regenerative technologies.
• Hands-on research experience – You have hands-on experience in developing (3D) in vitro models such as organs-on-chips, spheroids or organoids. 
• Technical versatility – Experience working with microfluidic systems and microfabrication, biomimetic biomaterials, relevant cell types (stem cells, musculoskeletal cells, endothelial cells, or immune cells), molecular and cellular analysis techniques, or bioimaging is considered a strong asset.
• Collaborative mindset – You are motivated to work in a multidisciplinary and collaborative research environment.
• Scientific independence – You demonstrate independence, responsibility, and scientific maturity in conducting research.
• Strong communication skills – You possess strong scientific communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to clearly present complex concepts to diverse academic audiences.

Do you want to push the boundaries of human in vitro modeling and transform how we study and uncover the mechanisms that drive the health, disease, and repair of musculoskeletal tissues? We look forward to receiving your application.

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

• A 4-year PhD position, starting June/July 2026
• A 12-month contract with a 3-year extension upon positive evaluation
• A salary between €3,059 and €3,881 gross per month (full-time, 38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus
• 29 vacation days (full-time), 4 additional public holidays
• Flexible working hours, hybrid working options, and allowances for commuting and internet
• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and infrastructure
• A strong focus on personal and professional development, including training opportunities
• A good pension scheme via ABP, company fitness, and access to university sports facilities
• A close-knit interdisciplinary community to collaborate and grow with
• Relocation support (if eligible) and a welcoming research environment in the heart of Europe

The terms of employment are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO-NU).

About the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML)
At FHML, everything revolves around healthy living. Research and education focus on prevention, health promotion, and improving quality of life. The faculty works closely with the Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+) and hosts a diverse international community of staff and students across a wide range of disciplines.

About the MERLN Institute
The candidate will perform this research within the department of Complex Tissue Regeneration under the supervision of Prof. Roman Truckenmüller and Dr. Niloofar Tahmasebi Birgani at the MERLN Institute, Maastricht University. The project supervisors bring complementary and extensive expertise in microtechnologies, in vitro models, biomaterials design, bottom-up tissue engineering, and musculoskeletal tissue regeneration, ensuring a highly supportive and intellectually stimulating environment for PhD training and scientific development.
The MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine strives to maintain a leading position in the field of biomedical engineering, tissue regeneration and regenerative medicine by combining creative research with training a generation of interdisciplinary scientists. MERLN’s activities operate at the interface of biology, engineering and medicine to maximize impact at the level of public involvement and the commercialization of research. MERLN’s vision is based on sharing knowledge, infrastructure and ambition.

About the Materials-Driven Regeneration program
As a PhD candidate in MERLN institute, you will also be involved in Materials-Driven Regeneration program, which is a partnership between Eindhoven University of Technology, Maastricht University, Utrecht University, the University Medical Center Utrecht and the Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology & Stem Cell Research. This consortium was brought together to advance tissue and organ regeneration approaches with the use of instructive biomaterials. The MDR Research Center is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in the framework of the Gravitation program of the Dutch Research Council (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, NWO). An interdisciplinary team of researchers within the MDR consortium researches and develops new, intelligent materials that stimulate the regeneration of damaged or diseased tissues and organs in three research flagships defined according to hierarchical levels of increasing length scale and structural complexity.

Curious?
Are you enthusiastic about this opportunity and would like to learn more about it? Please feel free to contact the project supervisors, Dr. Niloofar Tahmasebi Birgani (z.tahmasebibirgani@maastrichtuniversity.nl) and Prof. Roman Truckenmüller (r.truckenmuller@maastrichtuniversity.nl) for more information.
You can also apply directly using the button below. The end date of the publication is May 10th,  2026.  

To apply

• Submit the following documents:

1. Your CV
2. Copies of your Bachelor’s and Master’s diplomas and transcripts 

• Complete the position-specific questions in the application submission platform, which include details on your educational background, skills and experience, motivation, a summary of your Master’s thesis research, contact information of two references, and any additional relevant information.

Within two to three weeks after the application deadline, shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the first interview round, which will be held online. Candidates advancing to the second round will be invited to attend an in-person or online interview.

We look forward to receiving your application.

 About Maastricht University
At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,000 students and 5,000 employees across 5 regional locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. Here, you are encouraged to push boundaries and discover new opportunities – for yourself and for the world around you. Together, we find the answers of tomorrow.

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

At Maastricht University, we prefer to contact potential candidates directly. We therefore kindly ask that no agencies or intermediaries submit offers or approaches.

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.