Postdoctoral Researcher: Miniaturized In Vitro Models of Tissue Injury and Regeneration

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The world is changing rapidly, and we evolve with it. At Maastricht University (UM), your work truly makes a difference – whether you're shaping the future through research, inspiring students in the classroom, or helping build the foundations that make groundbreaking science possible.

Postdoctoral Researcher: Miniaturized In Vitro Models of Tissue Injury and Regeneration

• Our goal: Pioneering the next generation of miniaturized models for tissue injury and regeneration – to unlock new insights and enable smarter therapies.
• Your colleagues: An international team of scientists at the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, embedded within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML).

Within the Clinical Translation platform of the Materials-Driven Regeneration (MDR) program, you will work on developing innovative in vitro models that simulate the biological cascade following tissue injury – including hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, remodeling, and, ideally, functional recovery. Today’s microphysiological systems and organ-on-chip platforms often fall short in capturing these complex and dynamic processes, limiting progress in both science and clinical application.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will design and implement novel microengineered models that overcome these limitations. These systems will also allow you to test regenerative strategies using advanced biomaterials developed within the MDR program. You’ll work in an interdisciplinary and collaborative setting where high-tech fabrication meets cutting-edge biology – with access to world-class facilities and a vibrant international research community.

What you bring

It’s not about ticking boxes – it’s about your ideas, mindset, and potential. Does this sound like you?

• Technically skilled and research-driven – You hold a Master’s and a PhD in biomedical engineering or a closely related field, with hands-on experience in microfluidic in vitro models.
• Adept in microengineering – You’re familiar with CAD, CFD, multiphysics simulation, photolithography, 2PP laser lithography, DLP, mechanical micromachining, polymer microreplication, PDMS microfluidics, and organ-on-chip technology.
• Biologically literate – You bring expertise in 3D and microfluidic cell culture, stem cells, human primary cells, analytical techniques in cell and molecular biology at protein and mRNA levels, and bioimaging.
• Extra edge – A background in musculoskeletal tissue regeneration is a plus.
• Scientific communicator – You write and speak English fluently and confidently, with a strong track record in publications and presentations.
• Independent and proactive – You manage complex projects with ownership and initiative, and work well both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Motivated by impact – You’re driven by curiosity, innovation, and a desire to push the field of regenerative medicine forward.

What we offer
As Postdoctoral Researcher: Miniaturized In Vitro Models of Tissue Injury and Regeneration at 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.
• The position is part of a 2.5-year research project. You will initially receive a one-year contract, which will be extended by 1.5 years upon a positive evaluation at the end of the first year.
• 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 healthcare and education, FHML is closely collaborating with the academic hospital in Maastricht, together forming the Maastricht University Medical Center (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 (https://merlninstitute.com/) strives to maintain a leading position in the field of biomedical engineering 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.

The Materials-Driven Regeneration program
The Research Center for Materials-Driven Regeneration (https://mdrresearch.nl/) 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 Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (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?
For more information, please contact Prof. Dr. Roman Truckenmüller (r.truckenmuller@maastrichtuniversity.nl) and Dr. Niloofar Tahmasebi Birgani (z.tahmasebibirgani@maastrichtuniversity.nl).

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Postdoctoral Researcher: Miniaturized In Vitro Models of Tissue Injury and Regeneration? Apply now, no later than July 31, for this position.

Applicants can expect to hear from us within three weeks of the application deadline. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in brief video interviews. Those advancing to the 2nd round will be invited to attend either an in-person interview or an extended video call.
 

Please upload:

• A cover letter outlining your motivation to join our team and highlighting your expertise relevant to the project;
• A well-structured and informative CV, including concise summaries of your BSc, MSc and PhD projects, along with a publication list;
• Copies of your BSc, MSc and PhD diplomas and transcripts;
• And the names and contact details of at least 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.