The project will be executed in the department of materials engineering and the skeletal biology and engineering research center (SBE) and in close collaboration with the industry.
The student will be well-embedded in an interdisciplinary team and will have access to a large set of equipment ranging from cell culture facilities to advanced microscopes, additive manufacturing tools and equipment for in-depth material characterization.
KU Leuven, established in 1425, ranks number 42 on the Times Higher Education list. Moreover, according to the Reuters ranking, it is the seventh most innovative university worldwide (number one in Europe, after six American universities).
Current treatments to restore severely damaged osteochondral tissues are often inadequate or expensive and may require multiple surgeries. The field of tissue engineering (TE) aims to offer a sustainable solution via a regenerative approach in which biomaterials, cells and cellular cues can be combined to develop a cell-based implant for tissue-specific repair. Although major advances have been made in the last decades, TE-approaches still suffer from process variability and unpredictable biological outcomes. To overcome these issues, additive manufacturing techniques such as 3D-bioprinting have emerged. While initially mainly inkjet- and extrusion-based bioprinting technologies were being explored, is the field of bioprinting now moving towards the use of faster light-based bioprinting techniques. In this project, we aim to develop tissue-specific bioinks for bone and cartilage and suitable for light-based bioprinting. These new inks will enable us to move beyond the current state-of-the-art on bioink development and will open new avenues for sustainable osteochondral tissue repair.
The goal of this multidisciplinary project is to develop novel tissue-specific bioinks for cartilage and bone repair and suitable for processing with light-based bioprinting tools. More specifically the project aims to:
Our team is recruiting a highly motivated PhD candidate, who has a strong interest in material characterization, bioprinting and skeletal tissue regeneration.
We are looking for a PhD student with the following requirements:
We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate who shows a proactive attitude towards research in developing next generation bioinks for light-based bioprinting.
We offer a full-time position for 1 year (prolonged to four years upon positive evaluation). Our young and dynamic team will support you to successfully obtain a PhD degree via a proper scientific training at a top-ranked university. You will have an advanced training in material characterizations, bioprinting, cell culture, (in vitro) biological validation and skeletal tissue engineering approaches. You will participate in a larger interdisciplinary project. You will have opportunities to participate at national and international meetings/conferences, and establish your own network. You are also strongly encouraged to follow extra-curricular courses provided by the Arenberg Doctoral School in support of your broader (non-)academic training. Complete information about a PhD at the KU Leuven is in the following link.
You can apply for this job no later than December 6 2024 via the online application tool by providing the following documents:
For more information, please contact
· Prof. Veerle Bloemen, Vesaliusstraat 13 – box 2600, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
Email: veerle.bloemen@kuleuven.be Tel: +32 16 30 10 95
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
KU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.
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