PhD in a Tissue Engineering project (m/f/d)

Project description

SoftPrint is a cooperation project with the Natural and Medical Science Institute (NMI) and funded by the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung. Deep wounds, such as those caused by burns, diabetes, or soft tissue deformities (fat tissue and skin), continue to present significant treatment challenges. Tissue implants often fail due to insufficient nutrient supply to the cells, resulting from a missing or not rapidly formed vascular system (blood vessel network). One solution is to pre-vascularize the replacement tissue, meaning to introduce a vascular system into the engineered tissue before implantation. This approach involves a combination of larger fluid-transporting structures and capillary-like networks responsible for nutrient delivery. Our interdisciplinary project is pursuing this goal. It aims to generate personalized, three-dimensional, vascularized fat tissue in a controlled and thus standardized laboratory environment. These tissue
constructs will efficiently and successfully treat soft tissue defects in the future. This is achieved by combining modern 3D bioprinting techniques with novel multifunctional bioinks containing patient-specific components, which advances the project's technological development significantly.

The bioink used consists of: Mature adipocytes, pre-differentiated adipose stem cell aggregates (spheroids), endothelial cells, and electrospun polymer fiber fragments, which are functionalized with the patient's own extracellular matrix. These hybrid materials serve as guidance structures and signaling mediators for the endothelial cells, supporting the formation of a capillary network. This innovative combination ensures that blood vessel cells can orient and align themselves, forming a functional and stable capillary-like vascular system. The result is a soft tissue construct that is supplied with nutrients and oxygen, preventing cell death inside the transplant. To ensure successful clinical translation, materials that are medically certified or already approved for human use are prioritized from the outset.

We are looking for a motivated candidate for the SoftPrint project at the IGVP as: PhD student (m/f/d).

Your profile

• You have a Master's degree in life sciences or a similar fields like biology, biomedical engineering, material science, biotechnology or other interdisciplinary study programs
• You are a self-motivated person that is able to work independently with a good time management
• You can plan your work detailed, think critically and cope with stressful situations
• You enjoy working in a team, are communicative and interested in international exchanges as part of the promotion
• You would like to take part in teaching
• You have a broad knowledge of cell culture, preferably with primary human cells
• Ideally, you have experience in generating and extracting cell-derived ECM
• You are familiar with routinely used methods such as (RT)qPCR, western blot, agarose gel electrophoresis, enzyme-based assays, histology, antibody staining and microscopy
• You would like to publish papers in international journals and travel to (inter)national congresses

We offer

• Working in a young and dynamic team with a lot of individual responsibility
• A versatile working environment with various modern technologies
• Exciting tasks in the field of biofabrication and tissue engineering
• A future-proof workplace and location as well as attractive remuneration including a company pension scheme (VBL) with flexible working hours

The position is to be occupied in July 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is limited to 3 years in pay group E13 TV-L (50%). The University of Stuttgart is actively committed to equal opportunities.

We therefore particularly welcome applications from women. Severely disabled persons will be given priority if equally qualified. Recruitment is carried out by the Central Administration of the University of Stuttgart.

Interested?

Then please send your application (cover letter, résumé, relevant certificates) as a PDF via email to: bewerbung@igvp.uni-stuttgart.de .

If this is not possible for you, you can also send us your application in paper form. Please submit application documents only as copies, as they will be destroyed after the conclusion of the process in accordance with data protection regulations.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Application deadline: June 16, 2025.