PhD position in bioinformatics analysis of cellular responses to material surfaces : Enschede, Netherlands
The Tissue Regeneration group at the MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente (tr.tnw.utwente.nl/), is dedicated to develop strategies for the treatment of bone and cartilage defects. The biomaterials surface topography influences the way the body responds to it. In cooperation with informatics and mathematics groups, we recently developed the TopoChip platform for high throughput screening of a library of surface topographies for cellular responses (Unadkat et al., PNAS, 2011, doi:10.1073/pnas.1109861108). Our experiments unveil a dependency of cellular behavior on certain topographic design parameters. Informatics and algorithm design play a key role in both the design of the topographies and in the analysis of the large amounts of data resulting from the screenings. We aim to develop this approach to a platform for the design of topographies that optimally trigger certain biological responses. Using our platform, we hope to be able to decipher the Braille code of cell responses to surface topographies.
Description
We are now looking for a PhD student for this interdisciplinary project. The candidate should have a Master’s degree in bioinformatics, computer science, mathematics, or in biomedical engineering with ample experience in informatics. Outstanding knowledge of scientific English both in speaking and in reading is required. Questions about the project should be directed to Dr. Jan de Boer (j.deboer@tnw.utwente.nl). Please send your inquiries and applications through the application link below, before 26 March, 2012.
Benefits
The position will be with the Tissue Regeneration group, led by Prof. Clemens van Blitterswijk, which is part of the MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine at the University of Twente (tr.tnw.utwente.nl). We offer a top level research and academic environment with excellent opportunities for personal development. The assignment is for 4 years, with a go/no-go assessment at the end of the first year. Candidates are expected to finish the project with a PhD thesis and disseminate the results through publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences. The starting salary will be € 2042 in the first year and up to € 2612 gross per month in the last year.2042 - 2612