Postdoc Position in Engineering Microbiome-Immune-Pathogen Interaction in Infant Gut

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

Join Us!

Do you want to investigate how the microbiome acquired in early life influences innate immunity and pathogen infection in vulnerable infants? Join an NWO Vidi project that combines advanced gut-on-a-chip technology, organoid models and microbiome approaches.

You will work in an interdisciplinary setting to establish novel infant gut models and apply it to investigate microbiota-immune-pathogen interactions, generating knowledge that can support future interventions to improve infant health.

We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

This is what you will do

• establish an 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

What we ask of you

• a degree (PhD, or equivalent) in Biomedical Engineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or closely related fields. Candidates in the final stages of obtaining their degree are eligible to apply
• an excellent background in bioengineering, biomaterials, hands‑on experience of primary cell culture, organoids, or microfluidic systems
• experience on or willing to learn anaerobic microbial cultivation and characterization techniques
• a problem‑solving mindset and a strong motivation
• detail‑oriented and can perform team‑oriented in a multi‑disciplinary team as well as independently
• fluent in English, both writing and speaking, demonstrated by first‑author peer‑reviewed publication
• experience in academic writing and presentation

This is what we offer you

We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for a period of 12 months. An extension for 2 years subsequently follows if we assess your performance positive. The preferred starting date is as soon as possible.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, is €3,706 to €5,760. This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year‑end allowance. The UFO profile Researcher 4 is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the '30% ruling', may apply to non‑Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

You will work in this team

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) is located at the vibrant Amsterdam Science Park. SILS is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Science (FNWI). With around 240 employees, SILS carries out internationally high-quality life science research and provides education within various university programs. Research is also carried out in close cooperation with the medical, biotech, chemical, flavor, food & agricultural, and high‑tech industries, and revolves around 4 main themes, Cell & Systems biology, Neurosciences, Microbiology and Green Life Sciences.

The mission of the Molecular Biology and Microbial Food Safety group is to understand the interaction of microbes and their environment. We focus on microbiomes in the human gut and oral cavity in collaboration with our Amsterdam partners the Amsterdam UMC (location AMC) and ACTA. We study the gut microbiome in the context of Inflammatory Bowl disorders and the development of Depression whereas the oral microbiome is linked to Preventitive Dentistry.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Help us uncover how the infant gut microbiome shapes immune development.

We accept applications until and including 13 October 2026.

Dr. Jianbo Zhang, [e-mail]

If you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Dr. Jianbo Zhang, [e-mail]

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure. (for details: national knowledge security guidelines)