PhD Candidate in Supramolecular Hydrogels for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering - Baandomein

Baandomein; Maastricht; On-site; EUR 38,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Maastricht University invites applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD position in supramolecular hydrogels for biomaterials and tissue engineering. You will design, synthesize, and characterize polymers, linking molecular design to material function for bioengineering applications including 3D cell culture and bioprinting.

The BioMatt group at MERLN/I BE, led by Dr. Matthew Baker, provides an international, collaborative setting with state‑of‑the‑art facilities.

Qualifications

• MSc or equivalent in a relevant field with strong background in organic or polymer chemistry.
• Experience with multi-step synthesis and standard purification techniques.
• Experience with polymer characterization methods (NMR, GPC, rheology) desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop new synthetic routes for supramolecular polymers.
• Characterize structure–property relationships of polymers.
• Engineer dynamic hydrogel systems with tailorable mechanical and chemical properties.
• Design hydrogels for injectable, 3D printable, and patternable applications.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Polymer chemistry

Biomaterials

Analytical techniques

English proficiency

Education

MSc in Organic/Polymer Chemistry

Materials Science or Chemical Engineering

Tools

NMR

GPC

Rheology

(cryo‑)EM

Job description

Join us in developing new supramolecular polymeric materials for dynamic and responsive biomaterials and bioinks. In this PhD project, you will design, synthesize and characterize polymers with tailored chemical and mechanical properties, connecting molecular-level design with material properties and applications in bioengineering.

PhD Candidate in Supramolecular Hydrogels for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering

• Our goal:To develop dynamic, molecularly designed biomaterials for applications including 3D cell culture and bioprinting. The project will combine molecular self-assembly with covalent reinforcement to create biomimetic hydrogels whose mechanics, dynamics, and functionality can be controlled in space and time.
• Your colleagues: You will join the "BioMatt" group of Dr. Matthew Baker (https://merlninstitute.com/discover-merln/departments-and-groups/research-groups/biomatt-polymeric-biomaterials). The BioMatt group is part of MERLN’s Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering (IBE), which develops biomaterials that actively interact with and guide biological systems. Within this environment, BioMatt combines molecular and polymer design with cell biology and tissue engineering to create dynamic materials for biomedical applications. Working at MERLN means you will join an international network of researchers from ~25 nationalities spanning multiple disciplines. We are a collaborative and interdisciplinary group with diverse expertise, including biomaterials, chemistry, tissue engineering, microfabrication, and cell biology. We work in newly renovated laboratory facilities with state-of-the-art equipment. We have a long history as leaders in the field of tissue engineering and are particularly well-known for our orientation towards translational research.

What you do
This position focuses on the synthesis and characterization of novel supramolecular materials with tunable properties for biomedical applications. The successful candidate will:

• Develop new synthetic routes for supramolecular polymers.
• Characterize supramolecular polymer structure-property relationships using advanced analytical techniques.
• Engineer dynamic hydrogel systems with tailorable mechanical and chemical properties.
• Design hydrogels and formulations to create injectable, 3D printable, and patternable materials.
  The supramolecular materials developed will ultimately be applied to create controllable 3D environments for tissue engineering applications ranging from vascularization and osteochondral regeneration to living materials with microbial components.

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you.

Scientific Background

Supramolecular materials have incredible potential for recreating life-like materials to interface with living cells, yet their weak mechanical properties and difficulty in controlling dynamics and functionalization limit their use. Our research explores how to tune the dynamics and assembly of supramolecular hydrogels by combining dynamic-covalent bond formation with supramolecular chemistry principles. We have shown significant breakthroughs in reinforcing supramolecular polymers to create tough materials that allow for 3D fabrication of tissue constructs. Currently, the impact of molecular structure, processing conditions, and reaction mechanisms on natural and synthetic supramolecular scaffolds is poorly understood. We are looking to expand our fundamental understanding of these materials through polymer synthesis and characterization.

This work will be a close collaboration within the framework of an ERC Consolidator project (SupraValent), embedded within a multidisciplinary team (BioMatt Group). The fully funded 4-year PhD position provides an opportunity to develop expertise in advanced supramolecular/polymer chemistry while contributing to biomedical innovation.

What you bring
We are interested in the combination of experience, motivation, and perspective you would bring.

The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in organic or polymer chemistry and is motivated to connect molecular design with material function. Prior experience in biomaterials is very welcome but not required; more important is confidence in experimental materials and synthesis, careful data interpretation, and an interest in collaborative work at the chemistry-bioengineering interface. You enjoy working in an open, collaborative, and interdisciplinary environment.

Furthermore, you bring:

• MSc (or equivalent) in Organic/Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field. Candidates with an equivalent research qualification from an educational system without a separate Master’s degree are also encouraged to apply; eligibility will be assessed individually.
• Demonstrated knowledge and/or hands‑on experience in organic and/or polymer synthesis, acquired through an MSc thesis, extended research project, advanced coursework, or relevant internship. You should have experience with multi‑step synthetic under supervision, standard purification techniques (e.g., column chromatography, precipitation, extraction), and maintaining structured laboratory records with clear reporting of experimental results.
• Demonstrated knowledge of or hands‑on experience with polymer and small‑molecule characterization methods, such as NMR, GPC, rheology, or mechanical testing. This experience may have been gained through an MSc thesis, extended research project, advanced coursework, or relevant internship. While not required, the ability to independently operate at least one of these techniques, interpret and report experimental data, and relate characterization results to polymer structure and material properties is highly desirable.
• Interest in applying supramolecular and polymer chemistry to bioengineering and soft matter applications, with demonstrated exposure to biomaterials, hydrogels, self‑assembly systems, or structure–property relationships in polymeric materials.
• Experience with characterization of self‑assembled or dynamic systems, such as UV‑Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, DLS, or (cryo‑)electron microscopy, and/or analysis of reaction or binding kinetics, is considered an advantage.
• Excellent command of scientific English (minimum CEFR level C1), with strong proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, as English is the working language of the group.

Availability to start the position on short notice is highly desirable; however, the start date remains flexible for highly qualified applicants.

What we offer
At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer:

• A 12-month contract (1,0 FTE) with the prospect of a 3 year extension based on mutual satisfaction.
• A gross monthly salary between € 3.204 and € 4.051 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week).8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours.
• Freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas.
• A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with.
• A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities.
• An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe.

About the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML)
FHML is committed to health in the broadest sense: from molecule to human, and from healthcare to prevention. We train healthcare professionals and researchers through innovative educational programs and conduct groundbreaking research in health and well‑being. As part of Maastricht UMC+ (MUMC+), our international and interdisciplinary community forms a unique collaboration between university and academic hospital, where education, research, and care come together.

About MERLN

Research Institute MERLN (Institute for Technology‑Inspired Regenerative Medicine) within FHML focuses on the development of new and challenging technologies for the repair of damaged organs and tissues. Within MERLN, the IBE department (https:// https://merlninstitute.com/discover-merln/departments-and-groups/ibe-department) uses materials science and engineering to design biomaterials that actively interact with and guide biological systems. By controlling material chemistry, structure, mechanics, and biological functionality, researchers create instructive systems for applications ranging from medical devices and scaffolds for regenerative therapies to dynamic cell‑culture environments. The department brings together expertise in polymeric, inorganic, supramolecular, and bioactive materials, providing an interdisciplinary environment at the interface of chemistry, engineering, and regenerative medicine.

If you need more information on the specifics of the position, please reach out to Dr. Matthew Baker via [e-mail].

About Maastricht University
At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,300 students and 5,400 employees across 5 regional locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities for yourself and the world around you. Together, we can find the answers for tomorrow.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

At Maastricht University, we prefer to contact potential candidates directly. We therefore kindly ask that no agencies or intermediaries submit offers or approaches.