PhD candidate within the CRC/TRR 255 (f/m/d)
Medizinische Klinik 4
Prof. Dr. Janina Müller-Deile, MHBA
Ulmenweg 18
91054 Erlangen
Prof. Dr. Janina Müller-Deile
MHBA
Telefon: 09131 85-42960
Job-Id: 11822
MHBA
Telefon: 09131 85-42960
Medizinische Klinik 4
Prof. Dr. Janina Müller-Deile, MHBA
Ulmenweg 18
91054 Erlangen
Published since: 01.12.2025
Job-Id: 11822
Medizinische Klinik 4
Prof. Dr. Janina Müller-Deile, MHBA
Ulmenweg 18
91054 Erlangen
Prof. Dr. Janina Müller-Deile
MHBA
Telefon: 09131 85-42960
Sounds interesting?
Who we are:
The Collaborative Research Centre/Transregio CRC/TRR 225 “From the Fundamentals of Biofabrication towards Functional Tissue Models” is an interdisciplinary research consortium of the Universities of Würzburg, Bayreuth, and Erlangen-Nürnberg.
The TRR225 aims to develop innovative biofabrication strategies - particularly automated 3D printing technologies - for processing living cells and biomaterials into complex tissue constructs. These advanced in vitro models provide new opportunities for pharmaceutical, cancer, and infection research, support the reduction of animal testing and offer long-term perspectives for regenerative medicine.
Since its establishment in 2018, the consortium has achieved substantial scientific progress and international visibility and will enter its third funding period in 2026.
The advertised position is part of the subproject C06, Biofabrication strategies for modelling kidney compartments and diseases, which focuses on developing physiologically relevant in vitro models of key renal structures through advanced biofabrication approaches. This includes further refinement of a dynamic glomerular filtration barrier model using human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived podocytes and patient-specific glomerular cells to study disease mechanisms, circulating factors, and therapeutic responses under controlled biomechanical conditions. In parallel, the project aims to fabricate a progressively complex proximal tubule model using melt electrowriting-based scaffolds, hydrogel-embedded stromal cells, and compartmentalized perfusion to recreate tubular microarchitecture and function. Additionally, C06 integrates kidney and vascular organoids into engineered fibrous grids to promote guided vascularization and maturation within bioreactors. Together, these models will enable high-fidelity investigation of renal pathology, support personalized medicine applications, and contribute to reducing the need for animal experimentation.
Your tasks
- Contribute to the development and optimization of biofabricated glomerular filtration barrier (GFB) models, including cultivation, differentiation, and characterization of human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived podocytes from patient and control lines.
- Support the modification and operation of bioreactor systems that integrate flow and physiological pressure, including execution of functional assays.
- Participate in the fabrication of melt-electrowritten (MEW) PcPrOx scaffolds and hydrogel-based tubular models; seed and culture endothelial and proximal tubule cells; perform structural and functional validation using microscopy and immunohistochemistry.
- Assist in the bioassembly and vascularization of kidney organoids within MEW-fibrous scaffolds, including bioprinting of blood vessel organoids and subsequent characterization under dynamic bioreactor culture.
- Conduct data analysis (e.g., imaging, gene expression, bulk RNA sequencing in collaboration with project partners) and contribute to documentation, reporting, and publication of research findings.
- Engage in collaboration within the CRC/TRR network, communicate with associated subprojects, and support knowledge exchange.
Qualifications
- Completed university degree (Master or equivalent) in cell biology, biomedical sciences, biotechnology, molecular medicine, bioengineering, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience in cell culture, ideally including primary cells, stem cells, or differentiated cell types.
- Interest in 3D cell culture, tissue engineering, or biomaterials-based approaches.
- Willingness to learn and collaborate closely with the biofabrication partner lab.
- Familiarity with microscopy techniques.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary, collaborative research environment spanning biology and biofabrication.
- Good command of English (written and spoken).
Additionally beneficial
- Expertise in molecular biology techniques, such as RNA extraction, qPCR, immunofluorescence, or analysis of transcriptomic data.