PhD-student with background in Chemistry/Polymer chemistry/Biomedical Engineering

The Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Twente represents a multidisciplinary environment for higher education and frontier research at the interfaces of applied physics, chemical technology and biomedical engineering. Key research topics include sustainable energy, biomedical technology and nanotechnology. MIRA is the research institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine at the University of Twente. 
  
The challenge
Within MIRA the research activities of Dr. A.A. van Apeldoorn focusses on the development of alternative transplantation therapies of Islets of Langerhans for type 1 diabetes patients. Recently we have started an innovative research consortium (diabetes cell therapy initiative) using tissue engineering techniques to develop a bioartificial pancreas.
 
In this research line, we have an opening for a PhD-student with an interest in polymer chemistry and/or biomaterial research. In the new research project we aim at improving the performance of this biomaterial platform by incorporating physical, chemical and mechanical parameters that are involved in the formation of functional tissue especially related to beta-cell function. Methods for the incorporation and release of bioactive molecules (growth factors) and coupling of adhesion peptides will be developed and their functionality will be studied using relevant in vitro and in vivo models.
 
PhD-student with background in Chemistry/Polymer chemistry/Biomedical Engineering for type 1 diabetes research. Presently we are exploring new application areas for biomaterials which can aid in the creation of an implantable device for Islets of Langerhans with optimal material properties.
  
Our offer
We offer a 4 year PhD program, As a PhD candidate you will be appointed in a full-time position (38 hours/week) for a period of maximum four years and at the end you should have completed your PhD thesis. The gross monthly salary for a PhD increases from € 2042 in the first year to € 2612 in the final year (in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). In addition, the University of Twente offers attractive employment conditions, with the possibility to follow additional courses for further personal development.
 
Your profile
We search for students with background in Chemistry/Polymer chemistry/Biomedical Engineering for type 1 diabetes research.You will be working in an international environment and a multidisciplinary team. We require good communication skills, teamwork and aim for scientific excellency and creativity.
 
More information can be obtained from Dr. Aart A. van Apeldoorn (a.a.vanapeldoorn@utwente.nl
 
The organisation
The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which drives change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university in the Netherlands; divided over six faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. The University of Twente has a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out pioneering research.
 
Within the TNW Faculty (Faculty of Science and Technology) of the University of Twente some 700 staff members and more than 1100 students are involved in training and research on the interface of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. Research, which enjoys a high profile both at home and internationally, has been accommodated in the multidisciplinary research institutes IMPACT, MESA+ and MIRA. The faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders.
 
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