Academic ConnectPostdoc: Development and characterization of mycelium-inspired, fiber-reinforced modular walls
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August 4, 2025
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Your job
Are you a biologist interested in architecture, design, and engineering? Or an engineer or designer interested in biology? Would you like to contribute to the design of sustainable construction materials? And collaborate within an international consortium of architects, materials and textiles scientists, and engineers to help translate bio-inspired knowledge to the development of modular walls for construction? Do you want to understand how fungi and their mycelial networks adapt to various environmental conditions? Then you might be the postdoctoral researcher we are looking for!
As a postdoctoral researcher, you will use various techniques to investigate fiber-reinforced structures in nature (i.e., fungi), including additive manufacturing, computer simulations, materials testing, and characterization of 3D structures using microscopic and tomographic techniques. You will also work with architects, designers, and engineers to develop biomimetic models of fiber-reinforced structures in order to help develop next-generation construction materials and further understand the functional morphology of organisms and natural systems. You will especially investigate how mycelial structures adapt to mechanical loads and use this information as inspiration for bio-inspired construction materials.
Your duties and responsibilities include:
- Developing an experimental platform for growing mycelium on agar plates exposed to various mechanical loads (e.g., compression, tension, bending, twisting).
- Imaging the mycelial network and using fluorescence microscopy to investigate material distribution.
- Developing analysis tools for 3D reconstruction of mycelial networks.
- Modelling the biophysical and biomechanical properties of the mycelial networks.
Your team
This study is part of an international project funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) that aims to develop bio-inspired and sustainable construction materials, led by a Vienna-based architect, and in collaboration with international experts in materials science, textiles, design, and engineering and companies at the leading edge of technological development. At the Experimental Zoology Group in Wageningen University (WU), you will have access to state-of-the-art computational infrastructure and experimental facilities for fabrication and testing. Facilities at our collaborators include various custom additive manufacturing equipment (including textiles) and industrial testing platforms. More information about the project and team can be found at: https://www.algoloam.com/
You will work here
The research is embedded within the chair Experimental Zoology, and member of the Biomechanics and Biomimetics team, which is led by Prof. Florian Muijres. You will be co-supervised by Dr. Guillermo Amador and Dr. Steffen Werner. You will be part of the Biomimetics Lab.
Your qualities
For this interdisciplinary project, we are looking for a highly motivated and skilled postdoctoral researcher with a recent university PhD degree (or equivalent) in engineering, biology, architecture, and/or industrial design.
You also possess:
- Strong analytical skills and innovative attitude
- Previous experience with finite element simulations and/or rapid prototyping
- Good programming and image analysis skills (e.g., Python, MeVisLab, Blender)
- A clear affinity for the field of (bio)mechanics
- The candidate should be a team player with excellent communication skills
In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level C1 .
We offer you
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
- sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
- working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
- there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
- a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
- excellent pension scheme.
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 3.378,- and € 5.331,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). We offer you a temporary contract for the duration of two years. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.
Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.
You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.
Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.
Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.
Do you want more information?
For more information about the position, please contact Dr Guillermo J Amador, assistant professor, telephone +31 317 482749 or by e-mail guillermo.amador@wur.nl.
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Ine van 't Land, Corporate Recruiter, via ine.vantland@wur.nl.
Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.
You can apply until September 15th, 2025.
Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure
Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.
We are
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.
We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.
Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR.
We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.
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