PhD Candidate in Bioprinting of a Gene Therapy Model for Neonatal Diabetes

Are you interested developing and converging the latest stem cell, organoids, and biofabrication technologies? Would you like to learn more about gene editing? Join the ON-SCREEN research team!

Your job
In this PhD position, you will do research within the Biofabrication team with a specific focus on developing an engineered system to model the gene therapy correction of permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PNDM)-causing mutations. Biofabrication is a relatively young field in which 3D fabrication technologies are used to generate living tissues by precisely patterning cells and biomaterials.

You will become a member of the ON-SCREEN project, funded by HealthHolland, and will work in the Levato research group, located within the Regenerative Medicine Centre Utrecht. In particular, you will contribute to the development of a bioengineered, stem cell-derived endocrine pancreatic construct to model neonatal diabetes mellitus and use it as a platform to screen for the novel gene therapy tools to cure this disease.

You will establish iPSC lines bearing several mutations leading to neonatal diabetes using CRISPR-Cas9 and you will develop bioprinted (pluripotent) stem cell and organoid culture systems to generate an in vitro model to test for novel gene therapies to revert the disease causing mutation. You will be performing cutting-edge research and will have access to state-of-the-art facilities both through the Veterinary Clinic and the Regenerative Medicine Centre Utrecht (which includes the Utrecht Biofabrication Facility).

You will coordinate your work within an (inter)national network of collaborators, while working in an ambitious, motivated, multi-disciplinary team of veterinarians, clinicians, material scientists, biologists, and engineers. Further, you will co-supervise BSc and MSc students during their internships and teaching opportunities will be available. You will be part of the Utrecht Graduate School of Life Sciences and will receive training, supervision, and guidance for both your research work and personal/professional development, which provides you with an excellent basis for an independent academic career.

You have multiple of the following qualifications:

• You hold a Master’s degree in biotechnology, biochemistry, biomedical engineering or a related area.
• You have proven expertise on and experience with CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, molecular biology, cell culture and affinity with regenerative medicine.
• You have experience in working with iPSC and stem cell culture.
• You have experience with gene editing vectors (i.e. CRISPR-Cas9), generation of stable cell lines, and endoderm specification of iPSC.
• You are able to communicate effectively scientific ideas, foster collaboration and independent thinking.
• You are knowledgeable in your field and committed to keep up with the recent advances in the literature.
• You are proficient in written and spoken English.

• A position for one year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this total period;
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

At the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine we train the veterinarians and researchers of the future, provide care for animals and conduct leading and societal relevant research. That is what we are good at. We see that the health and welfare of animals, humans and the environment are interconnected. By sharing our knowledge and working together, we make positive impact, both nationally and internationally. Our 1,500 students and 950 staff members inspire and strengthen each other. Our engagement connects us. The drive to, from an integral perspective, make the world a better place.

At the Department of Clinical Sciences, you will work alongside approximately 150 veterinarians and a similar number of support staff. Approximately two-thirds of the veterinarians are specialists in various disciplines; the remaining one-third consists of interns, residents and PhD candidates. Together we are responsible for the education of veterinary students, provision of clinical services to horses and companion animals, and both clinical and more fundamental research in the areas of regenerative medicine, locomotion, genetics and reproduction.

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button.