Postdoctoral Researcher 'Dynamic Organ-on-Chip Systems for In Vitro Bone Tissue Modeling'

In the body, cells are constantly exposed to physical cues from their surroundings, and these cues change as tissues form and mature. Current in vitro models are largely static and cannot reproduce these dynamic cues. In this project, we address this gap by combining responsive biomaterials with a high-throughput organ-on-chip platform, allowing physical cues to be tuned on demand during culture. You will use this approach to build human in vitro bone tissue models for studying bone formation and for screening new therapies.

Your main responsibilities will be to:

• Adapt, optimize, and operate a patent-pending organ-on-chip platform for long-term 3D cell culture.
• Integrate responsive biomaterials into the platform and evaluate their cytocompatibility.
• Differentiate stem cells into osteogenic cells and establish human in vitro bone tissue models.
• Characterize cellular and tissue responses using a multiscale analytical approach, including confocal microscopy, gene expression analysis, and histology.
• Validate the bone tissue models using established bone therapeutics.
• Disseminate your findings through publications in leading peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences.
• (Co-)supervise students and contribute to the organization of the laboratory.
• Engage with industrial partners and contribute to the translation of the technology toward preclinical applications.

The position is offered initially for one year, with the possibility of extension. The intended start date is 1 January 2027.

Requirements

Profile

• A PhD in biomedical engineering, (bio)mechanical or chemical engineering, applied physics, materials science, (bio)chemistry, cell biology, or a related field.
• Candidates nearing completion of their PhD are also encouraged to apply, provided their thesis is approved for defense by the start date.
• Strong expertise in at least one of the following areas, and the motivation to build expertise in the other two:
  • Microfluidics or organ-on-chip systems.
  • 3D cell culture or cell mechanobiology.
  • Hydrogel design and characterization.
• A track record of first-author publications in international peer-reviewed journals.
• Interest in translation and entrepreneurship is an advantage.
• Excellent written and spoken English, and the ability to work both independently and in a multidisciplinary team.

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: 1 year with the prospect of extension.

Well arranged: With us, you receive 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and – depending on your role – an irregular hours allowance ranging from 47% to 72%. In addition, you are entitled to 176 vacation hours per year (based on a 36-hour work week).

Compensation: You will receive a €0.18 per kilometer travel allowance. Public transport costs (2nd class) are fully reimbursed. If you work partly or entirely from home, you will receive €2.40 per home-working day. This way, everything is well arranged—wherever you work.

Flexible benefits scheme: With our flexible benefits scheme, you decide how to use part of your employment benefits. Purchase extra leave days or use your year-end bonus to buy a bicycle with tax benefits. You choose what suits you best.

Warm welcome: We believe a good start is important. Thanks to our onboarding app, you’ll be well prepared even before your first working day. During the introduction day, you’ll get to know your colleagues and our organization.

Changing allowance: If you are required to wear Radboudumc work clothing and change outside working hours, you will receive a changing allowance of €80 gross per month for a full-time position, provided this applies to your role.

Salary increase: At our organization, your work is valued. Your salary will increase in line with the collective labor agreement in two steps: by 3.5% as of July 1, 2026, and an additional 3.5% as of May 1, 2027. This means you’ll see a solid increase in your salary within a short period of time.

Work–life balance: We consider a healthy work–life balance essential. Through inspiring training sessions, mindfulness activities, and caregiver consultation hours, we support you in every phase of your life.

Growth and development: Our online learning environment offers a wide range of training courses, e-learnings, and educational programs—from professional specialization to personal development. This allows you to keep growing and make the most of your talents.

Employer

Radboudumc

Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where our research groups strive for innovative solutions that make impact on health and healthcare. We challenge the status quo to overcome current and future health challenges. Our goal is to shape the future of healthcare for generations to come. Our focus is on prevention, sustainability, and meaningful care, which we achieve through our in-depth understanding of disease mechanisms, clinical science, public health research, medical technology and data science. Our approach is centered on breakthroughs that can truly enhance personalized healthcare and public health.

At Radboudumc, a comprehensive range of research programs provide the compass for our research efforts. Each program has a clear goal, where collaboration within and outside our organization is highly valued. We integrate care, education and research in partnership with our patients to ensure that our research programs have significant impact on health and healthcare. We invite you to join us in our mission to create a healthy future for all.

Department

Tandheelkunde

Place of work

You will join the Diba Lab, part of the Regenerative Biomaterials unit located in the Department of Dentistry at Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc) in Nijmegen, within the Research Institute for Medical Innovation. Our lab develops dynamic biomaterials and organ-on-chip systems, bringing an engineering approach to biomedical research. You will work in a 680 m² laboratory with modern equipment and the support of experienced technicians, in close collaboration with a multidisciplinary team.

Additional information

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early application is encouraged.

Please include the names and contact details of two references in your CV.

This position requires a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).

We are recruiting for this position ourselves. Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated, but do feel free to share the vacancy in your network!

Want to know more?

We’re happy to provide more information!

Asst. Prof. Mani Diba

📧 Send an email

#weareradboudumc

Radboud university medical center is a university medical center for patient care, scientific research, and education in Nijmegen. We want to have a significant impact on healthcare. Will you make the difference?