Postdoc at the Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine (MERLN)

Job Description

The Department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering (c-BITE) at MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine at Maastricht University in the Netherlands invites applications for a postdoctoral position to join Dr. Silvia Bolognin’s lab. A postdoctoral position is available to use human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived midbrain organoids (MOs) in the context of schizophrenia. The project aims to validate the use of MOs as a predictive in vitro model to evaluate patient-specific responses to available and new antipsychotics. Working within a collaborative team of experts in mental health disorders at the Mental Health and Neuroscience Research Institute and tissue engineering, the successful candidate will contribute to the development of a translational platform for personalized schizophrenia treatment. This will involve advanced techniques in iPSC culture and differentiation, organoid characterization (e.g., dopamine signaling, cellular composition), and drug testing.

Requirements

Qualifications

• PhD in neuroscience, mental health diseases, stem cell technologies, or a related field.
• Strong background in cell culture and molecular biology techniques.
• Proven experience with microscopy and other relevant characterization techniques.
• Experience with iPSC-derived neurons and 3D cell culture systems is a plus.
• Excellent and proven knowledge of scientific English, both in speaking, reading, and writing, is required.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

What we offer

• Position in a research institute with cutting-edge facilities.
• Interdisciplinary position and environment within MERLN.

What we offer
As a Postdoc at the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 10 according to UFO profile Researcher, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €3378,00 and €5331,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. A further extension might be possible.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model. 
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. 
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'. 
   

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM. 

Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
At the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), everything revolves around healthy living. Our research and education are not solely focused on recovery, but place a strong emphasis on prevention, health preservation, and health promotion. Our aim is to use our knowledge and expertise to genuinely contribute to the well-being of individual people as well as society in total. 

In, research, and healthcare, FHML is closely collaborating with the academic hospital in Maastricht, together forming the Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+).  FHML is strongly connected in education, research, and care with the Maastricht academic hospital, together with which it forms the Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+). 

FHML, which is the largest faculty of Maastricht University, is formed by an (inter)national community of employees and students. The faculty offers a wide range of Dutch and English-taught bachelor's and master's programs in innovative educational concepts in which the emphasis is always on building bridges to practice.
 

The multidisciplinary research of the FHML focuses on a number of carefully chosen topical current themes. In addition to research aimed at gaining new insights, it also concerns research whose results can be directly translated into concrete applications and innovations. The implementation of the various research programs is organized in our six graduate schools and two institutes.

 
Department

The MERLN Institute for Technology-inspired Regenerative Medicine focuses on developing novel and challenging technologies to advance the field of tissue and organ repair and regeneration through, amongst others, the development of high-hroughput material platforms to screen cell-biomaterial interactions. MERLN consists of an interdisciplinary team of researchers including fields as (stem cell) biology, materials engineering, chemistry, micro/nanofabrication, additive manufacturing, etc. The scientists at MERLN have an extensive network of collaborators within research institutions in and outside the Netherlands as well as with a number of biomedical companies, including their own spin-off companies, as entrepreneurship is highly fostered.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Silvia Bolognin via silvia.bolognin@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information. 

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Postdoc? Apply now, no later than 4 June 2025, for this position.

The application should contain: 

• Cover letter with motivation;
• Statement of research interests and accomplishments, max 2 pages;
• CV including a list of publications;
• Contact information of two references.

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.