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

University of Amsterdam (UvA); Netherlands; On-site; EUR 41,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30% ruling

8% holiday allowance

8.3% year-end allowance

Job summary

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) invites applications for a temporary 12-month research position in Biomedical Engineering to study how the infant gut microbiome shapes immune development. You will join an NWO Vidi project using gut-on-a-chip, organoid models and microbiome approaches to create infant gut models and explore microbiota–immune–pathogen interactions.

Working with engineers, microbiologists and translational researchers at Amsterdam UMC, you will publish in peer‑reviewed journals

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in Biomedical Engineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry or closely related fields.
• 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; team and independent work capability.
• Fluent in English (writing and speaking) with first-author publication.
• Experience in academic writing and presentation.

Responsibilities

• Establish an anaerobic gut-microbiome-on-a-chip platform for infant gut studies.
• Design and fabricate mesofluidic gut models using available facilities.
• Co-culture organoid-derived epithelium, immune cells and SynComs reflecting infant gut physiology.
• Coordinate collaboration between engineers, microbiologists and translational researchers at Amsterdam UMC.
• Present findings at conferences and publish in peer‑reviewed journals.

Skills

Bioengineering

Biomaterials

Cell culture

Organoids

Microfluidics

Anaerobic culture

Teamwork

English fluency

Academic writing

Presentation skills

Education

PhD or equivalent

Job description

Biological sciences » Biological engineering

Biological sciences » Biology

Engineering » Biomedical engineering

Organisation/Company University of Amsterdam (UvA) Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Biological sciences » Biology Engineering » Biomaterial engineering Engineering » Biomedical engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 13 Oct 2026 - 21:59 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 38.0 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Help us uncover how the infant gut microbiome shapes immune development.
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. If you recognise yourself in the role but do not meet every listed preference, we encourage you to apply.
This is what you will do
You will

• 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
You have/are

• 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 Preventive Dentistry.