IRP15—materials science, general or polymer chemistry, surface chemistry and physics, fibers and composites technology

Research topic:	Functional 3D printed polymer scaffolds for regenerative medicine
Recruiting organization:	University of Maribor Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers (LCPP) Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Application deadline:	March 11th 2018
Starting time:	June 2018 or as mutually agreed (1-2 months changes to the intended starting time are possible)
Contract duration:	36 months
Benefits	Slovenia has a comprehensive welfare system including social insurance. More details about the country can also be found on the EU-Commission webpage for Slovenia.
With about 25 000 students the University of Maribor  is located in the second largest Slovenian city not far from the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. At the Laboratory for Characterization and Processing of Polymers (LCPP)  an international and interdisciplinary research team works on the advancement of biopolymer material science with the aim of new applications in medicine and the bio based economy. ITN students will work in new laboratory facilities opened in 2015 and 2018.

 

Scientific content

Polysaccharides and other polymer based scaffolds are promising materials for complex tissue engineering substrates. Their biocompatibility and bio-degradability together with adjustable porosity and hydrophilicity make them ideal materials for cell seeding and growth. Polysaccharides in the form of hyaluronic acid and sulphated glucosaminoglycans can be found in large “bottle-brush-like” proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix of mammals where they are involved in the communication between cells and the growth and remodelling of tissues. Mimicking this type of biological material by derivatization of polysaccharides with short chain peptides and exploiting it in regenerative medicine is a target of this project. Micro- and nanostructured cellulose/polysaccharide materials will be shaped into two- and three-dimensional objects by 3D printing or freeze drying methods. The aim is to positively influence and control the growth, viability and migration of e.g. human endothelial cells and chondrocytes. Structure property relations between chemical composition and biological efficacy will be elucidated. Especially the analysis and testing of mechanical properties in the wet state is targeted. Detailed mechanical characterization (elastic deformation, compression etc.) will be executed within the consortium via secondments at partners and materials will be designed that mimic the mechanicals properties of living tissue.

Results:

• Preparation methods for cellulose and other polysaccharide based micro porous scaffolds by 3D printing and aerogel formation,
• derivatization and surface modification protocols for polysaccharide scaffolds with antibodies, growth factors and other peptides/proteins that mimic the proteoglycan components of the extracellular matrix,
• correlation of the mechanical properties with the growth of tissue,
• characterization of cellulosic/polysaccharide/polymer based materials (pore size, surface potential, degradability, swelling, mechanical properties).

 

The general requirements for all FibreNet positions apply here, i.e.:

• you may already be in a PhD program but you cannot be a PhD holder,
• you must have less than 4 years of research experience, i.e., you should be an early-stage researcher,
• you must not have resided or carried out your main activity in the country of the hiring organization for more than 12 months during the last 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment (short stays such as holidays and/or compulsory national service are not taken into account), and
• you should have a high-level knowledge of the English language.

 

Furthermore, the position-related requirements are:

• Master’s degree in materials science, general or polymer chemistry, surface chemistry and physics, fibers and composites technology, skills or degrees in biomedical science and cell testing are highly beneficial,
• enrolment as a doctoral student at University of Maribor (UM) within four months is mandatory,
• positive attitude to both analytical and practical research work,
• the ability to work independently as a member of UM research team and of the FibreNet community.

 

How to apply:

Applications must be sent electronically per email in pdf format to MSc Danica Svetec, danica.svetec@um.si

 

Mandatory appendices:

• a Curriculum Vitae,
• a letter of motivation (maximum of one page),
• the contact details of two referees,
• a copy of B.Sc. and M.Sc. certificates with annexes,
• a language certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, Cambridge Language Certificate (Proficiency CPE or Advanced CAE) if available, and
• a list or peer reviewed scientific publications if available.

 

For more information on:

• the research topic (scientific content), contact the supervisors: Assist. Prof. Rupert Kargl or Prof. Karin Stana Kleinschek.
• the application procedure, contact: MSc Danica Svetec.

 

In case no suitable candidates are found, University of Maribor reserves the right to re-open the call.