PhD Precision Repair of Donor Livers During Machine Perfusion

Werkenbijumcg; Groningen; On-site; EUR 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) invites applications for a PhD project focused on cutting-edge transplantation research. You will develop strategies to detect and repair oxidative stress in donor livers during machine perfusion and contribute to translational efforts within the CRISPR-CRYSTAL consortium.

You will work with experts across transplantation, nanotechnology, quantum sensing, and epigenetic editing, performing ex vivo experiments and data analysis to advance toward clinical

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences/Engineering, Biology, Medicine, Pharmacy, or related field.
• Interest in organ transplantation and machine perfusion.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills in English.
• Affinity with translational and interdisciplinary research.
• Basic laboratory skills, including pipetting, cell culture, and molecular biology techniques, or willingness to acquire these skills.
• Proactive, independent, and collaborative working style.

Responsibilities

• Perform long-term ex vivo liver perfusion experiments using hypothermic and normothermic platforms.
• Evaluate mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and liver viability during perfusion.
• Test nanoparticle-based delivery systems and CRISPR-based epigenetic therapies.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data and present findings at scientific meetings.
• Collaborate with academic and industrial consortium partners.
• Contribute to scientific publications and ensure research results in a PhD thesis.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

English communication

Interdisciplinary research

Independent working

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences/Engineering, Biology, Medicine, Pharmacy, or related field

Tools

Pipetting

Cell culture

Molecular biology techniques

Job description

Make more donor livers transplantable through cutting-edge transplantation researchImproving the quality and availability of donor organs is one of the greatest challenges in modern transplantation. At the University of Groningen and UMCG, you will contribute to the development of next-generation technologies aimed at assessing, protecting, and repairing donor livers before transplantation. This PhD project is embedded within the multidisciplinary CRISPR-CRYSTAL consortium, bringing together experts in transplantation, nanotechnology, quantum sensing, mitochondrial medicine, and epigenetic editing. The project combines fundamental science with a clear path toward clinical translation, offering the opportunity to make a direct impact on patient care.

About your role

During machine perfusion, donor livers can be maintained outside the body, creating a unique opportunity to assess organ quality and deliver targeted therapies before transplantation. In this PhD project, you will develop and evaluate innovative strategies to detect, prevent, and repair oxidative stress–associated injury in high-risk donor livers. The project integrates three complementary approaches:

• real-time quantum nanodiamond sensing of oxidative stress;
• mitochondrial protection using the clinical-stage compound SUL-238;
• CRISPR-based epigenetic editing delivered via lipid nanoparticles;

Using a combination of cell models and human donor livers, you will investigate how these technologies can improve organ quality and increase the number of transplantable donor livers.

Your main responsibilities

• Performing (long-term) ex vivo liver perfusion experiments using hypothermic and normothermic machine perfusion platforms.
• Evaluating mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and liver viability during perfusion.
• Testing nanoparticle-based delivery systems and CRISPR-based epigenetic therapies.
• Analyzing and interpreting experimental data and presenting findings at scientific meetings.
• Collaborating closely with academic and industrial consortium partners.
• Contributing to scientific publications and ensuring that the research results in a PhD thesis.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated candidate with a strong interest in organ transplantation and ex situ machine perfusion, regenerative medicine, and translational biomedical research. You enjoy experimental work, can work independently, and are eager to collaborate across disciplines.

You have:

• a Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences/Engineering, Biology, Medicine, Pharmacy, or a related field;
• an interest in organ transplantation and machine perfusion;
• strong analytical and organizational skills;
• excellent communication skills in English;
• affinity with translational and interdisciplinary research;
• basic laboratory skills, including pipetting, cell culture, and molecular biology techniques, or a willingness to acquire these skills;
• a proactive, independent, and collaborative working style.

Experience with organ perfusion, nanoparticle delivery, CRISPR technologies, is considered an advantage but is not required.