Postdoc: Infant Gut Microbiome-Immune-Pathogen on-a-Chip

Uva; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 41,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Amsterdam invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to investigate how the infant gut microbiome shapes immune development using an anaerobic gut‑microbiome‑on‑a‑chip platform and mesofluidic gut models. You will co‑culture organoid-derived epithelium with immune cells and synthetic microbial communities reflecting infant physiology.

You will collaborate with engineers and microbiologists at Amsterdam UMC and contribute to presentations at conferences and peer‑reviewed

Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent) in Biomedical Engineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology or Biochemistry.
• Excellent background in bioengineering, biomaterials, primary cell culture, organoids, or microfluidic systems.
• Experience with anaerobic microbial cultivation and characterization techniques.
• Problem-solving mindset and strong motivation.
• Detail-oriented and able to work in a multi-disciplinary team or independently.
• Fluent in English, with a first-author peer-reviewed publication.
• Experience in academic writing and presentation.

Responsibilities

• Establish anaerobic gut-microbiome-on-a-chip platform tailored to the human infant gut and investigate how early colonisation by commensal bacteria or pathobionts affects the development and function of the infant gut microbiome, innate immune system and mucosal barrier
• Design and fabricate mesofluidic gut models using the available research facilities
• Co-culture organoid-derived intestinal epithelium, immune cells and synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) that reflect infant gut physiology
• Coordinate and maintain the collaboration between mechanical engineers, microbiologists and translational microbiome researchers at Amsterdam UMC
• Present research findings at scientific conferences and publish results in peer-reviewed journals

Skills

Bioengineering

Biomaterials

Primary cell culture

Organoids

Microfluidic systems

Education

PhD in Biomedical Engineering

PhD in Molecular Biology

PhD in Biochemistry

Job description

University of Amsterdam invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to investigate how the infant gut microbiome shapes immune development using an anaerobic gut‑microbiome‑on‑a‑chip platform and mesofluidic gut models. You will co‑culture organoid-derived epithelium with immune cells and synthetic microbial communities reflecting infant physiology.

You will collaborate with engineers and microbiologists at Amsterdam UMC and contribute to presentations at conferences and peer‑reviewed