Oct 2, 2009

2 PhD positions in bone regeneration - University of Twente

The Faculty of Science and Technology (700 faculty members, 1100 students) offers a range of bachelor and master courses (NanoTechnology, Applied Physics, Chemical Engineering and Technical Medicine). The faculty’s research is organized in three of the university’s interdisciplinary research institutes: MESA+, MIRA, and IMPACT. These institutes increase the vitality of research by enabling collaboration between programs and disciplines, by providing shared facilities, and by attracting funding for joint projects. They also provide a conduit to industrial and other external
partners.

*2 Ph.D positions (4 years) in bone regeneration: development of novel materials and high-throughput screening of their biological performance*

*Job description*

The department of Tissue Regeneration at the MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente (http://tr.tnw.utwente.nl/) is dedicated to develop new strategies for the treatment of bone and cartilage defects. Recently, our lab developed synthetic osteo-inductive ceramics, materials which are able to actively stimulate bone regeneration and which are now clinically evaluated as alternative for autologous bone grafting. Fueled by this, we are currently
developing a new generation of inductive ceramics by further improving the inductive potential as well as the handling and mechanical properties.

In this project we are looking for *two PhD students*. One student will engage in development of a family of novel biomaterials, by modifying their physico-chemical properties and by the preparation of composites of ceramics and polymers. The other student will set up a high throughput screening system to evaluate the bone forming capacity of ceramics in vitro. Micro-array technology will be used to assess the biological response of stem cells to ceramics and be correlated to their ability to induce bone formation in animal models using bio-informatic analysis.

*Requirements*

We are now recruiting two PhD students. One candidate should have a Master’s degree in chemistry or engineering and affinity with biomaterials and orthopaedics. The other candidate, with a biomedical background should be keen to apply molecular biology to solve a medical problem. Expertise in bio-informatics is recommended.

Outstanding knowledge of scientific English both in speaking and in reading is required.

*Terms of employment*

The Tissue Regeneration Group, led by Prof. Clemens van Blitterswijk is a part of the MIRA - Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine at the University of Twente (http://tr.tnw.utwente.nl). We offer a top level research and academic environment with excellent opportunities for personal development. The assignment is for 4 years, with a go/no-go assessment at the end of the first year. The candidates are expected to finish the project with a PhD thesis and disseminate the results through publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences. The starting salary will be € 2042, - in the first year and up to € 2612, - gross per month in the last year.

*Applications*

Questions about the project on biomaterials development should be directed to Dr. Pamela Habibovic (p.habibovic@ tnw.utwente. nl). For information about the high-throughput screening project, please contact Dr. Jan de Boer (j.deboer@tnw. utwente.nl).

Applications should consist of an application/ motivation letter and a detailed CV. Please mention vacancy number 09/193.

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