PhD on Computational growth and remodeling of cartilage microtissues

Introduction

Are you fascinated by scientific and technological innovations in mechano-driven cartilage tissue engineering? Are you driven to develop novel in silico frameworks that deepen mechanistic understanding of tissue growth and inform in vitro experiments? Then you might be our next PhD candidate!

Job Description

Functional and durable regeneration of articular cartilage is still an unsolved challenge, despite the growing clinical and socioeconomic burden. In recent years, developmentally inspired tissue engineering (TE) approaches, relying on the assembly of self-organizing microtissue-based building blocks into larger constructs, have emerged as promising avenues for cartilage regeneration. However, this typically results in a larger tissue with a disorganized matrix architecture, not resembling native cartilage. To unlock the full potential of microtissue-based TE, a deeper understanding is needed of how these microtissues remodel and fuse their matrices as they grow, and how this is governed by their mechanical microenvironment. As a PhD candidate, you will develop novel computational tools to elucidate these phenomena.

This PhD project aims to develop a computational growth and remodeling (G&R) framework to investigate how cartilage microtissue growth dynamics, matrix composition, and (anisotropic) matrix architecture are influenced by the mechanical and geometric properties of their environment. These computational models can provide crucial mechanistic insights into the key parameters governing these processes, inform targeted in vitro experiments, and help design better biomaterials and TE strategies that harness mechanics and geometry. As a PhD candidate, you will adopt and extend in-house homogenized constrained-mixture (finite element) models for cardiovascular tissues towards simulating cartilage G&R. You will then simulate cartilage microtissues growing inside engineered, confining microenvironments and investigate the key parameters influencing the growth process, with a primary focus on anisotropic matrix organization. While this project is entirely computational in nature, you will collaborate closely with experimental researchers working with cartilage microtissues and engineered biomaterials, e.g. for tuning and validating the computational models, and for informing new in vitro experiments.

As a PhD candidate, you will become an integral part of a dynamic and multidisciplinary environment of engineers, biologists, and clinicians across seniority levels, driving innovation in regenerative medicine. An educational and professional development program will be offered to you, and you will contribute to teaching activities and supervision of BSc and MSc students. You will be expected to present your PhD research at (inter-)national scientific conferences, publish in scientific journals, and complete a doctoral dissertation.

Embedding
This PhD project will be integrally based within two research groups of the Department of Biomedical Engineering: the Orthopaedic Biomechanics (OPB) group and the Modeling in Mechanobiology (MMB) group. You will be supervised by Dr. Sebastien Callens (co-promotor, OPB), Prof. Keita Ito (Promotor, OPB), and Dr. Sandra Loerakker (Promotor, MMB). The OPB group researches a wide range of topics related to tissue engineering, mechanobiology, and biomechanics of bone, articular cartilage, intervertebral disc, and tendons/ligaments. The group synergizes advanced in vitro, ex vivo, and in silico approaches to uncover new fundamental insights into the properties, growth, and degeneration of orthopaedic tissues, as well as to develop novel regenerative engineering strategies. The MMB group investigates the mechanobiology of native and engineered tissues, with a current focus on cardiovascular applications, using integrated computational and experimental methods. The group focuses on developing a deep understanding of how mechanical stimulation regulates growth and remodeling, with the aim of applying these insights to enhance regenerative strategies.

Both the OPB and MMB groups are part of the Regenerative Materials and Engineering cluster of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Eindhoven University of Technology. The department offers Bachelors and Masters education programs that are integrally linked to its research areas ranging across Chemical Biology, Biosensing, Biomaterials, Biomechanics, Tissue Engineering, Computational Biology, Biomedical Imaging and Modelling, with 800+ students and 200+ academic staff. Eindhoven University of Technology is an open and inclusive institute with short communication lines. The people are curious, collaborative, and strive for excellence in research and education at an internationally renowned level. Our lively campus community facilitates connections between staff and students, in an inclusive, friendly, vibrant atmosphere that welcomes and inspires, and is an integral part of the Dutch Brainport region.

Job Requirements

We are looking for a self-motivated, ambitious, and highly talented candidate that meets the following requirements:

• A MSc degree (or equivalent) in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or related engineering/scientific fields.
• A strong affinity for complex theoretical concepts in mechanics and/or applied mathematics.
• A research-oriented attitude and a strong drive to learn and push the state-of-the-art.
• A creative mindset, and the ability to take initiative.
• Demonstrated experience with finite element modeling is essential.
• Experience with homogenized constrained-mixture models or other tissue growth models, and experience with mechanical characterization of biological materials is a plus.
• The ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams and bridge research groups.
• Excellent communication skills, fluent in spoken and written English.

 

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you: 

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. 
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881).  
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%. 
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.  
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates. 

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

The Department of Biomedical Engineering offers top-level education and research in one of the most relevant and exciting scientific disciplines of the 21st century: engineering health. In combining engineering and life sciences, through challenge-based learning and a multidisciplinary approach in collaboration with hospitals, industry and others, the department addresses the great challenges of the future, striving to improve healthcare and society as a whole.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Dr. Sebastien Callens, s.j.p.callens@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact HRServices.bme@tue.nl.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• A transcript of your MSc course grades.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.