Postdoc in Stem Cell Technology and Biofabrication

Faculty: 

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Department: 

Department Clinical Sciences

Hours per week: 

36 to 40

Application deadline: 

1 August 2025

We are offering a full-time, three-year Postdoc position as part of the Dutch Research Council
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(NWO) ENW-XL programme. You will join the Levato research group at the Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht and contribute to pioneering research into regenerative solutions for type 1 diabetes. Specifically, your work will focus on developing a bioengineered, stem cell-derived endocrine pancreatic construct to counter this chronic condition.

In this Postdoc position, you will develop (pluripotent) stem cell and organoid culture systems to generate pancreatic islets of Langerhans. You will investigate the potential of a novel volumetric bioprinting technique to understand how mechanical and chemical factors affect pancreatic specification and to generate a rapidly vascularising pancreatic construct to counter diabetes.

You will perform cutting-edge research that merges synthetic biology strategies, gene editing tools, new ultra-fast light-based volumetric bioprinting technologies, and engineered stem cells to produce vascularised, centimetre-scale pancreatic organoids. These will serve as models to test new therapies against diabetes and as regenerative grafts for transplantation. These technologies are highly novel and one-of-a-kind, and the project is expected to result in several highly impactful publications.

You will coordinate your work within an (inter)national network of collaborators, while working in an ambitious, motivated, and multi-disciplinary team of veterinarians, clinicians, material scientists, biologists, and engineers. You will also participate in the co-supervision of PhD candidates. We offer an exciting opportunity to contribute to an ambitious and international research programme within a highly motivated team, and to conduct your work at a renowned research university. Teaching opportunities are available, if desired.

You will receive training, personal supervision, and guidance for your research, career development, and acquisition of personal funding, providing an excellent basis for an independent academic career.

• You have a PhD in biology, biotechnology, bioengineering, synthetic biology, or in a related area.
• You have proven expertise on and experience with induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies. Experience with endoderm specification of iPSC, stem cell-derived pancreatic islets, and with vascular cell production from iPSC will be positively evaluated.
• You are motivated to apply these technologies to biomedical research and to openly collaborate with a diverse team of biologists, chemists and clinicians.
• Experience with CRISPR-Cas9 and gene editing technologies, and/or with synthetic biology and optogenetics will be positively evaluated.
• Affinity with perfusion bioreactors, soft tissue engineering, hydrogel-based 3D culture, bioprinting and regenerative medicine will be positively evaluated.
• You are a quick learner and you thrive in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• You are able to communicate effectively scientific ideas, foster collaboration and independent thinking.
• You are knowledgeable in your field and committed to keep up with the recent advances in the literature.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English is required.

• A position for a duration of three years.
• a working week of 36-40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,378 and €5,331 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)); 
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus; 
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU. 

In addition to the terms of employment
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 laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development
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, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities
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, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University
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.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University
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, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes
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. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow
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.

At the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine we train the veterinarians and researchers of the future, provide care for animals and conduct leading and societal relevant research. That is what we are good at. We see that the health and welfare of animals, humans and the environment are interconnected. By sharing our knowledge and working together, we make positive impact, both nationally and internationally. Our 1,500 students and 950 staff members inspire and strengthen each other. Our engagement connects us. The drive to, from an integral perspective, make the world a better place.

At the Department of Clinical Sciences
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, you will work alongside approximately 150 veterinarians and a similar number of support staff. Approximately two-thirds of the veterinarians are specialists in various disciplines; the remaining one-third consists of interns, residents and PhD students. Together we are responsible for the education of veterinary students, provision of clinical services to horses and companion animals, and both clinical and more fundamental research in the areas of regenerative medicine, locomotion, genetics and reproduction.

For more information, please contact dr. Riccardo Levato
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 at r.levato@uu.nl  or Pere Catala
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 at p.catalaquilis@umcutrecht.nl .

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home
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 for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button.

The application deadline is 1 August 2025.