A Full-Time Post-doc Researcher Opportunity (M/F)

Responsabilities

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral associate or engineer to conduct research in a starting ARC/CRA (Action de Recherche Concertée/Concerted Research Action) project entitled: “Differentiation and Encapsulation of β-like cells for the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus”. The proposal aims to develop innovative capsules containing beta-like cells derived from iPSCs that could correct and regulate glycemia in the context of pre-clinical studies for Type I diabetes, an autoimmune disease that leads to the destruction of pancreatic β-cells and thus hampers an effective glycaemia regulation. The research program will deal with the differentiation of hiPSCs into insulin secreting β-like cells, the design of a hybrid capsule with a core/shell structure with controlled porosity, the synthesis of microcapsules synthesis by an innovative droplet-based microfluidic approach, the assessment of in vitro cell viability and metabolic activity as well as in vivo biocompatibility and glycaemia regulation.

Profile

Holder of a recent PhD in the related field with an excellent experience in one of following disciplines: chemistry, chemical engineering, material science, biomaterials, bioscience engineering, biotechnology, biochemistry and biology. An excellent knowledge or experience on iPSCs or in biology, biotechnology and medicine with a good experience in the field of encapsulation of cells and live-cell imaging will be a positive selecting factor.

We are seeking a self-motivated, audacious, creative and tenacious researcher who recently obtained a PhD degree in one of following disciplines: bioscience engineering, (materials) chemistry, biotechnology, biochemistry, biology or equivalent. He/She will prove expertise and productivity in the form of first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals and will have strong communication skills. The candidate must be able to work independently, as well as demonstrate a strong commitment the team-based work with strong organization skills as the candidate will work in a collaboration with a PhD student.

Related recent publications from the labs

1. Leroux-G et al., Hybrid Alginate@TiO2 Porous Microcapsules as a Reservoir of Animal Cells for Cell Therapy, ACS Appl. Mater. Interf., 2018, 10, 37865−37877
2. Leroux-G et al., Alginate@TiO2 hybrid microcapsules as a reservoir of beta INS-1E cells with controlled insulin delivery, J. Mater. Sci., 2020, 55, 7857–7869
3. Leroux-G et al., Alginate@TiO2 hybrid microcapsules with high in vivo biocompatibility and stability for cell therapy, Colloids Surf., B: Biointerf., 2021, 203, 111770

Additional information

Prof. Bao-Lian Su (bao-lian.su@unamur.be), Director of the Laboratory of Inorganic Materials Chemistry (CMI), Department of Chemistry, University of Namur.

Prof. Thierry Arnould (thierry.arnould@unamur.be), Director of the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (URBC), Department of Biology, University of Namur.

Contract : 24 months

Starting date : 1st October 2022

Remarks

The salary applied in the University of Namur can be consulted on our website https://www.unamur.be/universite/jobs/baremes

How to apply

The application that will contain a detailed curriculum vitae with the list of your publications, contact addresses of three references and a letter of motivation, should be sent to Prof. Bao-Lian Su, by e-mail to bao-lian.su@unamur.be AND Prof. Thierry Arnould (thierry.arnould@unamur.be) by August 1, 2022 at the latest. Selected candidates will then be interviewed in the first two weeks of August.