The department of Cell Biology-Inspired Tissue Engineering (cBITE) at the MERLN Institute for Technologyinspired Regenerative Medicine at Maastricht University in the Netherlands invites applications for a postdoctoral position. The post-doctoral researcher will perform cutting-edge research in computational modeling methods applied to drug-toxin interactions in the kidney. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the top ten causes of death worldwide. Gradual decline in kidney function leads to accumulation of metabolic waste products (toxins) normally excreted by the kidneys, contributing to progression of CKD and its comorbidities, in particular cardiovascular disease. To alleviate the CKD complications, patients are routinely treated with many drugs, such as antihypertensive and cholesterol-lowering agents. However, the transporter proteins in kidney cells that handle these drugs are also responsible for secreting the toxins, and may, therefore, not be able to handle the competing demands. Considering the multitude of CKD drugs, toxins and transporter proteins and their potential interactions, investigating drug-toxin interactions is experimentally time consuming and difficult to accomplish. In this project, funded by the Dutch Kidney Foundation (https://nierstichting.nl/), we propose to integrate computational and experimental expertise with state-of-the-art technologies to address investigate drug-toxin interactions in the kidney and improve CKD drug treatments.

Project description: 

• Computational modeling of drug-toxin transport in the proximal tubule; (competitive) binding kinetics;
• Sensitivity analysis;
• Analysis and integration of various in vitro/in vivo data for model calibration;
• Parameter optimization.

What we offer:

• Computational ecosystem at Maastricht University: Department of Advanced Computing Sciences (DACS) and Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology (MacsBio);
• Excellent computational and experimental facilities to validate the in silico analyses and predictions in vitro/in vivo;
• Interdisciplinary environment within MERLN.

Project embedding:

The project will be coordinated by the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine (http://merln.maastrichtuniversity.nl/) for the computational work and the Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, division of Pharmacology (Prof. Masereeuw and dr. Mihăilă) for the experimental work.

Requirements and key expertise

• PhD in mathematical biology, computational mathematics, biomedical engineering, numerical optimization, statistics, biophysics, or equivalent;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as in a team;
• Strong scientific background and publication record;
• Expertise in computational modeling, PKPD modeling, parameter fitting;
• Good programming skills (for example Matlab, Python, R, VCell);
• Affinity with renal physiology and toxicology;
• Affinity with computational fluid dynamics is a plus • Good oral and written English communication.

Fixed-term contract: You will be appointed for 1 year. However, in case of excellent performance and good progress in the project, a 2 year extension of the appointment in this project is a possibility.

Depending on experience and qualification, the gross monthly salary is scale 10 (max. € 4.670,-), based on a full-time appointment. An 8% holiday and an 8.3% year-end allowance is also provided.

In addition to good primary employment conditions, UM also offers an attractive package of secondary employment conditions.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > About UM > Working at UM.

Maastricht University

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 22,000 students and 5,000 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.
For more information, visit www.maastrichtuniversity.nl.

Maastricht University (UM) is the most international university in the Netherlands and is still growing. The university stands out for its innovative education model, international character and multidisciplinary approach to research and education. Thanks to its high-quality research and study programs as well as a strong focus on social engagement, UM has quickly built up a solid reputation. Today it is considered one of the best young universities in the world.

Maastricht is the southernmost city in the Netherlands, and is the capital of the province of Limburg. Situated on the Maas River, within walking distance of Belgium and cycling distance of Germany, it claims to be the oldest city in the Netherlands (a claim it shares with Nijmegen). A great place to spend some time, it contains some magnificent buildings and culture, taking the form of plenty of old houses and buildings, lovely cathedrals and a spectacularly cobblestoned town center. The city is also well known for its fine cuisine, excellent shops and multicultural atmosphere.

MERLN

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-throughput 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.