PhD scholarship in Mechanically Active 3D Bio-printed Tissue Models – DTU Health Tech

Are you interested 3D printing, living tissue models and materials engineering?

DTU Health Tech is now offering a PhD scholarship within design and fabrication of complex microdevices for culture and maturation of 3D tissue muscle tissues derived from stem cell sources. 

Human tissue models based on stem cells provide new means for studying human health and disease in the lab. These systems may ultimately reduce the cost of drug development and accelerate biomedical research in general, yet consistent tissue fabrication, maturation and monitoring remains a key challenge. Multi-material 3D printing has recently emerged as a powerful tool for addressing these challenges. By developing new 3D printable soft functional materials, we will create new means of maturing stem cell-derived tissues in the laboratory toward more adult phenotypes.

You will be part of a diverse team of engineers, chemists and biologists that collaborate to solve interdisciplinary challenges.

Responsibilities and qualifications
We are looking for a creative and ambitious aspiring researcher with a master’s degree within materials science, biomedical engineering or similar. 

Your primary responsibilities will be:

• Bio-hybrid device design and fabrication using multi-material 3D printing.
• Mechanical modelling/analysis of devices
• Development and formulation of print materials for micro-extrusion (DIW) 3D printing
• Material characterization using rheological, mechanical, spectroscopic methods.
• Evaluation of tissue phenotypes and development.

You will plan and conduct most of your research independently, but at the same time, you will be part of a larger, team-driven project, and should find this exciting. You should be scientifically curious and motivated by overcoming challenges as they occur. You should be a capable communicator in English have solid experience in academic writing.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education . 

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Assoc. Prof. Johan Ulrik Lind and Anne Zebitz Eriksen. 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation, and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

Starting date is 1 September 2024, but can be adjusted according to mutual agreement. The position is full-time.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information
Additional information may be obtained from Associate Professor Johan Ulrik Lind, [email protected] , who leads the Tailored Materials and Tissues Group at the DTU Health Tech.

You can read more about DTU Health Tech here: www.healthtech.dtu.dk and about the Tailored Materials and Tissues Group here: www.healthtech.dtu.dk/tailored-materials-and-tissues.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 14 July 2024 (23:59 Danish time) . Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• Any List with contact information for professional references or letters of recommendation

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Health Tech 
With a vision to improve health and quality of life through technology, DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation based on technical and natural science. We educate tomorrow’s health tech engineers and create the foundation for new and innovative services and technologies for the globally expanding healthcare sector with its demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech’s expertise can be described through five overall research areas: Diagnostic Imaging, Digital Health, Personalised Therapy, Precision Diagnostics, and Sensory and Neural Technology. Our technologies and solutions are developed with the aim of benefiting people and creating value for society. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 140 PhD Students, and a technical/administrative support staff of about 100 persons of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.