PhD position in Polymer-Extracellular Vesicle (EV) Hybrids

14 Nov 2025
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Utrecht University

Research Field

Engineering » Biomaterial engineering
Pharmacological sciences » Pharmacy

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

4 Dec 2025 - 22:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

40.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are natural, biocompatible carriers with innate targeting abilities, making them promising drug delivery vehicles. However, as seen with most nanoparticle platforms, endosomal escape is a limiting factor for their therapeutic impact: the key step determining whether cargo, e.g., CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing machinery, reaches the cytosol or is degraded. Overcoming this barrier is crucial to unlock the full potential of EVs as Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs).
Your job
A promising, yet unexplored, approach to the enhance endosomal escape efficiency of EVs is to engineer hybrid delivery systems by decorating their surfaces with synthetic polymers capable of selectively disrupting endosomal membranes.
In this PhD position your role will be to design and synthesize the polymers, devise strategies to tether them to EVs, and test the obtained hybrid delivery platforms for functional cargo delivery of model- and pharmaceutically relevant cargo in vitro. Additionally, you will explore further functionalization of the hybrid EVs with nanobodies to improve their cellular uptake selectivity. In this research, you will be supported by existing expertise in EV isolation, loading and characterization (Dr. de Jong ), polymeric drug delivery systems (Dr. van Ravensteijn ) and nanobody-mediated targeting (Dr. Oliveira ). Ultimately, you will deliver a proof-of-concept for polymer-mediated endosomal escape of EVs, paving the way further in vivo implementation.
The multidisciplinary nature and societal relevant research direction make this PhD position the ideal opportunity to develop yourself into an independent and versatile researcher which is well-versed in the latest developments in drug delivery. Additionally, you will have the chance to contribute to educating the next generation of (pharmaceutical) scientists through active involvement in the educational programmes of Utrecht University.

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/jobs/356288/phd-position-in-polymer-extrace…

Requirements
Specific Requirements

We are looking for a collaborative and enthusiastic PhD student who meets several or all of the following criteria:

• you hold a Master’s degree in pharmaceutics, molecular life sciences, biomedical technology, drug innovation, (bio)chemistry or a related discipline with affinity for both chemistry and biology;
• you have a solid background in, or a strong motivation to develop expertise in, polymer chemistry, extracellular vesicles, bioconjugation and nanomaterials science, in vitro experimentation, (bio-)analytical & physical-chemical characterization of biomaterials, and fundamentals of biomaterial-cell interactions;
• you thrive in a multidisciplinary research environment that brings together pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry and biology;
• you are able to balance independence with teamwork by planning and executing experiments autonomously while contributing to a collaborative environment and shared scientific goals within the research group;
• you show perseverance and flexibility in addressing complex, multifaceted scientific challenges;
• you communicate clearly and effectively in English, both in writing and speech.

Additional Information
Benefits

• a full-time position for 18 months, with extension to a total of four years upon successful assessment;
• a gross monthly salary between € 3.059 and €3.881 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P 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 laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development , various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities . You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University .

Selection process

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home 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.
If you are enthusiastic about this position, just apply via the "Apply now" button! Please enclose:

• your letter of motivation;
• your Curriculum Vitae;
• relevant list of grades;
• the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of at least two references.

If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them.
Some connections are fundamental – Be one of them
#FundamentalConnection

Additional comments

For more information, please contact Bas van Ravensteijn at b.g.p.vanravensteijn@uu.nl .
Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to science.recruitment@uu.nl .

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/356288/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Universiteit Utrecht

Country

Netherlands

City

Utrecht

Postal Code

3584CG

Street

Universiteitsweg 99

Geofield

Contact

City

Utrecht

Website

http://www.uu.nl/

Street

Domplein 29

Postal Code

3512 JE

STATUS: EXPIRED

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