PhD position: Rationally engineered hydrogels to control osteogenesis via mechanoregulation (P2603)

Your position

We aim to pursue a new interdisciplinary approach, combining the synthesis of multi-functional culture-matrices with cell-instructive viscoelastic properties, in-depth cell characterisation, and computational modelling to investigate the relationship between matrix properties and osteogenesis. This will contribute to deciphering the importance of mechanical stimulation of the cellular microenvironment, and advance understanding of osteoinductive scaffold development in bone tissue engineering. Our three objectives are a) to rationally engineer hydrogels tuned to the specific mechanical requirements for osteogenesis b) to dissect how targeted manipulation of the hydrogel affects mechanoregulation in human dental pulp stem cells, and c) to propose a computational model to elucidate and predict the cell response.
A key innovation in this PhD project is to engineer environmentally (cell)-instructive hydrogels with controlled architecture (pore size, network interconnectivity) and mechanical properties (viscoelasticity) to recapitulate the mechanical micro-environment of the jawbone. Mechanosensitive complexes within the hydrogel form stimuli-responsive cross-links that adjust hydrogel viscoelasticity as a function of cytoskeletal tension, guiding cell growth.

Your profile

We are looking for a highly self-driven candidate with a hands-on work attitude who is interested in pursuing an interdisciplinary project in the field of biology, tissue engineering, material science, and chemistry. Complementary to experimental work, the candidate will work on computational models to understand and predict correlations. Candidates should hold a Master in Nanosciences, Biomedical Engineering, Health Sciences and Technology, Biology, Chemistry, or similar, from an institute of higher education that is accepted by the University of Basel. Experience in the following areas are of special interest:

• Mammalian cell culture and analysis (Microscopy, qRT-PCR)
• Hydrogel formulations and characterisation (Rheometry, Atomic Force Microscopy)
• Data analysis and graphical representation (GraphPad, MATLAB, R or similar)
• Fluency in English and good communication skills

We offer you

We are an interdisciplinary and international team with highly collaborative research questions and therefore value diversity in interest and personal background. We offer a friendly and pleasant working atmosphere with freedom to develop your own ideas. Specifically, we offer

• Fully paid PhD position, affiliated with the Swiss Nanoscience Institute, University of Basel, with a salary based on the guidelines from the Swiss National Science Foundation.
• Close guidance from supervisor and co-supervisor as well as technical and administrative support.
• Possibilities for collaborative work within the Medical Faculty and the Faculty of Science.
• Access to state-of-the art core facilities for FACS, Confocal Microscopy and the Nano Imaging Lab for electron microscopy.