PhD Candidate in the field of induced pluripotent stem cells and organoids

Welcome to Maastricht University!

How can we guide stem cells to develop into different cell lineages by using mechanical stimulation? Join our interdisciplinary research team and contribute to developing methods for iPSC culture, 3D cell models, and stem cell differentiation within the field of complex tissue regeneration. In this PhD project, you will work at the interface of stem cell biology, biomaterials, and 3D cell culture.

PhD Candidate in the field of induced pluripotent stem cells and organoids

• Our goal: In this project, you will work on developing methods to control stem cell differentiation through mechanical stimulation, with the aim of creating improved 3D cell models and gaining new insights into stem cell biology.
• Your colleagues: You will work together with another PhD candidate and become part of the Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration (CTR) within the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine. You will join an exceptionally skilled team that is being assembled through recent European Research Council (ERC) funding secured by the department.

We offer a top-level research and academic environment with excellent opportunities for personal development. The work is highly interdisciplinary, and the atmosphere within both the group and the institute is collegial and collaborative.

What you do

As a PhD candidate, you will work on the initial framework for iPSC cell culture, maintenance, methodology, and data analysis. You will contribute to team efforts related to stem cell biology, the development of new biological assays, and 3D cell culture on 3D-printed scaffolds. The project aims to steer iPSC differentiation into different lineages through mechanical stimulation.

Within this role, you are expected to disseminate research findings through publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences.

Research at CTR is driven by technology development for the fabrication of biological constructs. The technological bases at the department for the fabrication of such constructs are:

• Additive manufacturing technologies for building functional 3D scaffolds, such as 3D fiber deposition, bioprinting, and digital light processing.
• Advanced electrospinning technologies for generating extracellular matrix-like fibrous meshes.
• Engineering of artificial cellular microenvironments and of in vitro 3D tissue and organ analogues by new biomaterial formulations (e.g. hydrogels).
• Lithography for multiscale hierarchical 3D substrates, e.g. 3D nanoimprint, 3D deep UV or 3D X-ray lithography.
• Bottom-up tissue engineering based on micro and nanoengineered objects as cell-assemblable instructive microscaffolds.
• Scaffold-free, self-assembled 3D tissues/organ spheroids.

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you.

What you bring 
We’re not looking for checkboxes; we’re interested in who you are and what you bring. Do you recognize yourself in this?

This position is well suited to highly ambitious candidates who enjoy solving problems and are comfortable working towards deadlines. You will thrive in a fast-paced, yet friendly and collaborative international environment that offers new challenges and opportunities for growth.

Furthermore, you bring:

• M.Sc. degree in (stem cell) biology or biomedical science; a background in biomedical engineering is also possible.
• Proven experience in iPSC culture, maintenance, and characterization (including omics).
• Additional experience in iPSC culturing on different types of biomaterials in 2D and 3D is considered a strong advantage.

• Experience with additive manufacturing technologies for building functional 3D scaffolds (e.g. 3D fiber deposition, bioprinting, digital light processing).
• Experience with advanced electrospinning technologies for generating extracellular matrix-like fibrous meshes.
• Experience with engineering artificial cellular microenvironments and in vitro 3D tissue and organ analogues using biomaterial formulations (e.g. hydrogels).
• Experience with lithography techniques for multiscale hierarchical 3D substrates (e.g. 3D nanoimprint, deep UV, or X-ray lithography).
• Experience with bottom-up tissue engineering using micro- and nanoengineered objects as cell-assemblable instructive microscaffolds.
• Experience with scaffold-free, self-assembled 3D tissues or organ spheroids.
• Excellent and proven knowledge of scientific English, both spoken and written.

What we offer
At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer: 

• A 12-month contract (1,0 FTE) with the prospect of a 3 year extension based on mutual satisfaction
• A gross monthly salary between € 3.059 and € 3.881 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus. 
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours. 
• Flexible working hours, a home office allowance, and the option to work from home (where the position allows). 
• Freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas. 
• A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with. 
• A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities. 
• An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe. 

About the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML)
FHML is committed to health in the broadest sense: from molecule to human, and from healthcare to prevention. We train healthcare professionals and researchers through innovative educational programmes and conduct groundbreaking research in health and well-being. As part of Maastricht UMC+ (MUMC+), our international and interdisciplinary community forms a unique collaboration between university and academic hospital, where education, research, and care come together.

About MERLN

Research in the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine focuses on the development of new and challenging technologies for the repair of damaged organs and tissues. Within MERLN, the CTR department ( focuses on advanced macro, micro and nanobiofabrication technologies developed and combined with fundamental knowledge of (developmental) biology to design and engineer complex tissues and organs. Potential applications of such constructs are in stem cell research, tissue regeneration, developmental biology, pharmaceutical or toxicological screening, and bioartificial organs.

Interested?
Want to know more about this position or what it’s like to work at our university? Reach out to Prof. Dr. Lorenzo Moroni via Het emailadres op baandomein.nl bekijken . The deadline for submitting your application is 23 August 2026.

If you would like to apply for this position, please submit the following documents:

• CV
• Motivation letter
• Contact details of referees who can be contacted
• Grade transcript

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

The selection process will consist of two interviews, and may also include an assignment.

Apply now via the button below. We look forward to getting to know you!

About Maastricht University
At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,300 students and 5,400 employees across 5 regional locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities for yourself and the world around you. Together, we can find the answers for tomorrow.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

At Maastricht University, we prefer to contact potential candidates directly. We therefore kindly ask that no agencies or intermediaries submit offers or approaches.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.