Ph.D Candidate – Biological evaluation of mechanobiological platforms for understanding disease[...]

IMDEA Materials Institute; Getafe; Presencial; EUR 25.000 - 35.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

A leading research institute in materials is offering a full-time PhD candidate position focused on developing in vitro platforms to understand mechanobiological phenomena. Applicants should have a background in biomedical engineering or related disciplines, with strong skills in cell culture and programming. Interested candidates should apply early, as positions may close after ten days.

Servicios

Social security coverage

On-the-job technical training

Formación

• Candidates should have a background in biomedical engineering, materials science, biology, chemistry, medical science, biotechnology, or a related discipline.
• Strong interest in mechanobiology and cell biology.
• Confident in hands-on work in the lab and an excellent self-starter.

Responsabilidades

• Contribute to the development and biological validation of in vitro platforms.
• Design and evaluate 3D scaffolds.
• Study mechanobiology mechanisms.

Conocimientos

Background in biomaterials

Knowledge in cell culture techniques

Programming

Good communication skills

Fluent in English

Educación

Biomedical engineering

Materials science

Biology

Chemistry

Medical science

Biotechnology

Herramientas

Molecular biology techniques

Descripción del empleo

IMDEA Materials Institute is a public research organization founded in 2007 by Madrid’s regional government to carry out research of excellence in Material Science and Engineering by attracting talent from all over the world to work in an international and multidisciplinary environment. IMDEA Materials has grown rapidly since its foundation and currently includes more than 120 researchers from 22 nationalities and has become one of the leading research centers in materials in Europe which has received the María de Maeztu seal of excellence from the Spanish government. The research activities have been focused on the areas of materials for transport, energy, and health care and the Institute has state-of-the-art facilities for processing, characterization and simulation of advanced materials.

More information can be found at our webpage.

Description

The PhD candidate will contribute to the develop and biological validation of diverse platforms in vitro to understand mechanobiological phenomena in diseases, exploring therapeutic mechanical stimuli, and advance tissue engineering applications.

Some of the specific fields involved are:

• Design and biological in vitro evaluation of 3D scaffolds
• Development and characterization of 3D cell models (spheroids, orgaoids)
• Use of microfluidic, organ-on-a-chip setups with different cell types
• Study of mechanobiology mechanisms

Requirements

We are looking for a candidate with a background in biomaterials and knowledge in biology, cell culture techniques, and programming.

• Candidates should have a background in biomedical engineering, materials science, biology, chemistry, medical science, biotechnology, or a related discipline.
• Strong interest in mechanobiology, cell biology, and bioengineering.
• Experience in the biological evaluation of materials (in vitro).
• Knowledge of molecular biology techniques (immunostaining, PCR, Western blot, etc.).
• Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary environment (collaboration with engineers, computational scientists, and eventually with clinicians).
• Availability to start in January 2026.
• Good communication skills.
• Fluent in English (written and oral).
• Confident in hands-on work in the lab and an excellent self-starter.
• Quick learner and comfortable working in novel environments.
• Ability to set up new experiments based on requirements.

Desired (not mandatory)

• Familiarity with microfluidics, lab-on-chip systems, or bioreactors.
• Experience in cell culture (2D/3D), organoids, or tissue models.

Conditions

Three-year contract with a first-year evaluation period.

• Full-time contract, including social security coverage.

Project acknowledgment: This job offer is part of the iCELLS-CM project (SYG-2024/TEC-1062) funded by the Comunidad de Madrid under the call PROYECTOS SINÉRGICOS I+D 2024.

Applications are processed upon reception. The position might be closed once ten working days have passed since publication, so we encourage early application.

The working language of the Institute is English. Full command of the English language is required in all positions.

IMDEA Materials Institute is committed to equal opportunities, diversity and the promotion of a healthy work environment and work-life balance. Female applicants are encouraged to apply to our research and technical positions. See our Gender Equality Plan here and our Code of Ethics here.

Besides on-the-job technical training, IMDEA Materials Institute is committed to training the Institute’s scientists and staff in “soft” or transversal skills. See the available training here.

Meet some of our alumni to see what it is like to work with us.