PhD position: Rationally engineered hydrogels to control osteogenesis via mechanoregulation (P2603)

University of Basel; Lavamünd; Vor Ort; EUR 63.000 - 95.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Fully paid PhD position

Salary based on SNSF guidelines

Access to core facilities

Zusammenfassung

University of Basel invites applications for a PhD project focused on interdisciplinary hydrogel engineering to study osteogenesis and mechanoregulation in human dental pulp stem cells. You will design hydrogels with tunable viscoelasticity and architecture, while integrating computational modelling for predictive insights.

The position offers a fully funded PhD with a salary aligned to Swiss National Science Foundation guidelines, and close supervision within the Swiss Nanoscience Institute.

Qualifikationen

• Master in Nanosciences or related field from an institute recognised by University of Basel.
• Experience in cell biology experiments and data analysis is desirable.
• Strong communication in English and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.

Aufgaben

• Develop environmentally instructive hydrogels with controlled pore size and viscoelastic properties.
• Perform characterisation using rheometry and AFM to study mechanical properties.
• Collaborate on computational modelling to predict cell responses and mechanoregulation.

Kenntnisse

Mammalian cell culture

qRT-PCR

Fluency in English

Data analysis and graphical depiction

Ausbildung

Master in Nanosciences

Biomedical Engineering

Health Sciences and Technology

Biology

Chemistry

Tools

Rheometry

Atomic Force Microscopy

MATLAB

GraphPad

R

Jobbeschreibung

Offer Description

We aim to pursue a new interdisciplinary approach, combining the synthesis of multi-functional culture-matrices with cell-instructive viscoelastic properties, in-depth cell characterisation, and computational modelling to investigate the relationship between matrix properties and osteogenesis. This will contribute to deciphering the importance of mechanical stimulation of the cellular microenvironment, and advance understanding of osteoinductive scaffold development in bone tissue engineering. Our three objectives are a) to rationally engineer hydrogels tuned to the specific mechanical requirements for osteogenesis b) to dissect how targeted manipulation of the hydrogel affects mechanoregulation in human dental pulp stem cells, and c) to propose a computational model to elucidate and predict the cell response. A key innovation in this PhD project is to engineer environmentally (cell)-instructive hydrogels with controlled architecture (pore size, network interconnectivity) and mechanical properties (viscoelasticity) to recapitulate the mechanical micro-environment of the jawbone. Mechanosensitive complexes within the hydrogel form stimuli-responsive cross-links that adjust hydrogel viscoelasticity as a function of cytoskeletal tension, guiding cell growth. We are looking for a highly self-driven candidate with a hands-on work attitude who is interested in pursuing an interdisciplinary project in the field of biology, tissue engineering, material science, and chemistry. Complementary to experimental work, the candidate will work on computational models to understand and predict correlations. Candidates should hold a Master in Nanosciences, Biomedical Engineering, Health Sciences and Technology, Biology, Chemistry, or similar, from an institute of higher education that is accepted by the University of Basel. Experience in the following areas are of special interest:

• Mammalian cell culture and analysis (Microscopy, qRT-PCR)
• Hydrogel formulations and characterisation (Rheometry, Atomic Force Microscopy)
• Data analysis and graphical representation (GraphPad, MATLAB, R or similar)
• Fluency in English and good communication skills

We are an interdisciplinary and international team with highly collaborative research questions and therefore value diversity in interest and personal background. We offer a friendly and pleasant working atmosphere with freedom to develop your own ideas. Specifically, we offer

• Fully paid PhD position, affiliated with the Swiss Nanoscience Institute, University of Basel, with a salary based on the guidelines from the Swiss National Science Foundation.
• Close guidance from supervisor and co-supervisor as well as technical and administrative support.
• Possibilities for collaborative work within the Medical Faculty and the Faculty of Science.
• Access to state-of-the art core facilities for FACS, Confocal Microscopy and the Nano Imaging Lab for electron microscopy.