PhD: Living Hydrogels & Dynamic Cell–Matrix Interactions

Maastricht University; Maastricht; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12-month contract

Salary €3,204–€4,051/month

Holiday allowance 8%

Year-end bonus 8.3%

29 vacation days

Job summary

Maastricht University invites applications for a PhD Candidate in Cell-Matrix Interactions in Dynamic Hydrogels within the BioMatt group at MERLN/IBE. You will investigate how molecular organization, mechanics, dynamics, and ligand presentation in hydrogels direct cell behavior and how engineered cells actively modify their surrounding matrix.

The project aims to establish predictive relationships between hydrogel design and cell response, enabling adaptive living materials with two-way

Qualifications

• Excellent command of scientific English (CEFR C1) is required.
• Ability to document experiments clearly and analyze data.
• Strong communication across disciplinary boundaries.
• Motivation to work in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Design and create supramolecular hydrogels with control over biofunctionalization via peptide cues.
• Establish robust 2D and 3D cell-culture workflows in supramolecular and dynamically reinforced hydrogels.
• Determine how stiffness, stress relaxation, network architecture, and dynamic covalent reinforcement influence cell adhesion, morphology, mechanotransduction, phenotype, and matrix production.
• Investigate how molecular-scale presentation and accessibility of cell-adhesive ligands affect cellular responses.
• Study reciprocal cell–matrix interactions, including cell-mediated remodeling and matrix changes over time.
• Collaborate to evaluate engineered cells within hydrogel environments and contribute to experimental design and publications.

Job description

Maastricht University invites applications for a PhD Candidate in Cell-Matrix Interactions in Dynamic Hydrogels within the BioMatt group at MERLN/IBE. You will investigate how molecular organization, mechanics, dynamics, and ligand presentation in hydrogels direct cell behavior and how engineered cells actively modify their surrounding matrix.

The project aims to establish predictive relationships between hydrogel design and cell response, enabling adaptive living materials with two-way