Within the Netherlands Organ-on-Chip Initiative (NOCI) funded by NWO, the ECTM group at TU Delft is looking for enthusiastic & motivated researchers to develop innovative wafer-scale microfabrication technologies for advanced silicon- and biodegradable technology-based Organs-on-Chip (OoC).

OoC systems are microfluidic cell culture devices that recapitulate in vivo-like microenvironments to support the expression of properties and functions of human tissues and organs. Such microphysiological systems represent more realistic models than existing in vitro cell cultures, which should enhance pre-clinical screening of the effect of drugs and other compounds on the human body. In the past five years, the ECTM research within the NOCI consortium has introduced significant technological innovations in geometry, actuation, sensing and readout for OoC. Our grand, multi-disciplinary challenge is building on top of the knowledge and expertise matured so far to bring OoC technology to the next level. This will be achieved by devising novel materials, actuation and sensing solutions to stimulate and monitor organ properties in wafer-scale microfabricated platforms.

The positions will entail the technological development and integration of:

1. Biodegradable microfabricated organ-on-Chip platform for perfused brain organoids.
2. Bioegradable magnetic polymer-based actuators for tissue stimulation.
3. Polymer scaffolds and chemical gradients for gut microenvironment.

Candidates with strong experience in micro/nanofabrication, materials engineering and bioengineering are encouraged to apply or enquire further by contacting Dr. Mastrangeli (m.mastrangeli@tudelft.nl) and Dr. Boutry (C.M.F.Viellard-Boutry@tudelft.nl).

A Master degree in electronic or biomedical engineering, material science or related fields, as well as fluency with English, are required to apply for these positions.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three disciplines - electrical engineering, mathematics and computer science. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make future-proof. We are also working on a world in which humans and computers reinforce each other. We are mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. There is plenty of room here for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1,100 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.