Job description
Are you passionate about combining material science, microfluidic technology and biofabrication strategies towards real-world applications ? We offer an impactful PhD-student position in the Leijten Laboratory within the Department of BioEngineering Technologies as part of a recently funded National consortium (ENW-XL, PanCreaTE). In this consortium, we will engineer functional Pancreata by combining iPSCs, organoid-forming micromaterials, and volumetric 3D bioprinting. This approach represents a beyond-state-of-the-art solution to engineer living functional tissues with function-endowing architectures to treat patients suffering from type-2 diabetes.
You will use highly advanced microfluidic devices to produce immunoprotective hollow hydrogel microcapsules that will form iPSC-derived pancreatic organoids. You will explore different strategies to improve the functional performances the in-capsule organoids formation. Moreover, you will pioneer the annealing of the organoid-forming microgels into large microporous living materials that contain perfusable capillary-like networks. Furthermore, you will combine these fabrication strategies with light-based volumetric biofabrication to create implantable engineered pancreata. You will therefore work on the multidisciplinary interface of microtechnology, materials science, (stem)cell biology, and additive manufacturing. You will thereby be trained to develop a wide skill set, which will include tissue engineering, 3D bioprinting, bioink development, advanced photopolymerization, materials characterization, induced pluripotent cell culture and differentiation, and writing high impact scientific publications.
Your profile
- You are an enthusiastic and highly motivated researcher;
- You hold a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, Biomedical Sciences, or an equivalent master’s education;
- You have excellent analytical skills and an innate ability for solution oriented problem solving;
- You have strong interests in (microfluidic) microtechnology, biomaterials, cell-biomaterial interaction, pancreas biology, tissue engineering and/or biofabrication;
- You have experience in microengineering, material synthesis, materials characterization, and/or material visualization techniques. Experience in hydrogels, iPSC culture, and advanced optical imaging techniques are considered as a benefit;
- You possess excellent social and communication skills, in academic as well as non-academic contexts;
- You love working in a team in which fundamental and applied research cross-fertilize;
- You have a creative and critical attitude, combined with perseverance and being flexible and stress-resistant;
- You are fluent in English language skills, both in speaking and writing.
Our offer
- As a PhD student at UT, you will be appointed to a fully-paid full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year, within an exciting scientific environment;
- Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU);
- You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 3.059,- (first year) to € 3.881,- (fourth year);
- There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;
- A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis;
- You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School, where you and your supervisors will determine a personalized plan for a suitable education and supervision;
- A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);
- You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School, where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision.
Information and application
Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before 31st of Januari 2026, and include:
- A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, motivations to apply for this position. Including a second page of a summary of your Master's thesis;
- A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, list of publications (if applicable), and references (one of them should be your MSc supervisor);
- An IELTS-test, Internet TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT), or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE). Applicants with a non-Dutch qualification and who have not had secondary and tertiary education in English can only be admitted with an IELTS-test showing a total band score of at least 6.5, internet. TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT) showing a score of at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE).
About the department
The PhD-candidate will work in the Leijten Lab, which is part of the department of Developmental Bioengineering. The department of Developmental BioEngineering is a research group with a highly international character. Our main goal is to investigate and explore the potential of novel (micro)technologies in the field of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. Our department has a strong history in the development of various biofabrication technologies and advanced biomaterials, which have been leveraged to create a family of next-generation bioinks for various biomedical applications. DBE is distinguished as a Centre of Excellence and part of the Technical Medical Centre of the University of Twente, which is widely recognized for its cutting edge
About the organisation
The Faculty of Science & Technology (Technische Natuurwetenschappen, TNW) engages some 700 staff members and 2000 students in education and research on the cutting edge of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Our fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally and is strengthened by the many young researchers working on innovative projects with as doctoral candidates and post-docs. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.
