PhD Bioengineering: 3D Neural Innervation & Optogenetics

Unist; Maastricht; Hybrid; EUR 409,000 - 520,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12-month contract

Salary €3,059–3,881/month

8% holiday allowance

8.3% year-end bonus

29 vacation days

ABP pension

Job summary

Maastricht University in the Netherlands invites applications for a PhD candidate to establish iPSC-derived sympathetic neurons within 3D hydrogel tissue models and develop electrophysiological readouts, complemented by optogenetic control using PiggyBac. You’ll join the Neural Engineering group, collaborate with cell biology, bioengineering and imaging, and contribute to publishable work.

12-month contract with potential extension to 3 years; gross monthly salary €3,059–€3,881 (38 hours/week),

Qualifications

• MSc in Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Tissue Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• Hands-on mammalian cell culture experience (2D and hydrogel culture).
• Experience designing and assembling your own experimental setup.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques (cloning, transposon-based transfection).
• Strong written and verbal English (CEFR C1 or higher).

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize an iPSC differentiation protocol for sympathetic neurons.
• Integrate sympathetic neurons into 3D hydrogel-based tissue models.
• Design and implement electrode integration within the 3D hydrogel environment.
• Establish and validate electrophysiological recording protocols from the 3D innervated model.
• Perform genetic engineering (PiggyBac transposition) to introduce optogenetic actuators.
• Characterize innervation patterns and neuronal activity using 3D confocal and multiphoton imaging.
• Analyse and interpret electrophysiological and imaging data.
• Present findings at lab meetings, conferences, and in peer‑reviewed publications.

Skills

Curiosity & independent problem-solver

Effective communication

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Ownership & accountability

Willingness to learn molecular biology

Education

MSc in Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Tissue Engineering, or related engineering discipline

Job description

Maastricht University in the Netherlands invites applications for a PhD candidate to establish iPSC-derived sympathetic neurons within 3D hydrogel tissue models and develop electrophysiological readouts, complemented by optogenetic control using PiggyBac. You’ll join the Neural Engineering group, collaborate with cell biology, bioengineering and imaging, and contribute to publishable work.

12-month contract with potential extension to 3 years; gross monthly salary €3,059–€3,881 (38 hours/week),