Postdoctoral position for acoustic and microfluidic organoid assembly (f/m/d)

Universität Heidelberg

The Ruperto Carola University in Heidelberg is one of Europe′s leading research institutions and the oldest university in Germany, particularly known for its world-leading research in the life sciences and medicine. The Neuenheimer Feld Campus of Heidelberg University is the largest campus for natural and life sciences in Germany, where the Faculty of Engineering Sciences bridges material sciences, molecular biotechnology and computational sciences. The modern Campus harbors the buildings of the science faculties and institutes, in direct vicinity to the University Hospital Heidelberg, the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). Strong interactions exist via the Health + Life Science Alliance Heidelberg Mannheim with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, the medical campus Mannheim, and the Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim. The life science and engineering campus at Heidelberg University offers a network of core technology platforms, with access to various technologies and industry contacts, for which the CellNetworks Core Technology Platform serves as an umbrella structure. Heidelberg University invites applications for the following full-time postdoc position to begin as soon as possible.

Postdoctoral position for acoustic and microfluidic organoid assembly (f/m/d) The position is funded by the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung (CZS)

Background:

• The position is embedded in the collaborative research program “Precision Organoid Engineering for Multi-Organ Interaction Studies (POEM)”: https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/cctp-poem
• The POEM program aims to generate reproducible, micrometer-scale controllable, and cost-efficient disease models by bringing together experts in molecular systems engineering, machine learning, biomedicine, and disease modeling. Central to its objectives is the development of methods for culturing tailor-made organoids, assembloids and co-organoids for inter-organ communication towards AI-supported large-scale / high-throughput analyses.
• Three-dimensional cell cultures are important to enable realistic cell environments for disease modeling and to analyze cell interactions. This project will address the important questions of how organoid and assembloid formation can be controlled via microfluidics and how the assembloid-designs affect cell biology.
• The position will be embedded in the two research groups of Dr. Kai Melde (Holographic Tools for Biofabrication) and Dr. Johannes Betge (Translational Gastrointestinal Oncology and Preclinical Models) to combine engineering and biomedical expertise.

Your Role:

• Designing experiments to assess organoid- and assembloid formation with microfluidic devices incorporating ultrasound-directed cell manipulation on chip
• Developing microfluidic chips that enable cell handling and assembly using ultrasound and explore combinations with other force fields such as light and magnetics
• Analyzing influences of guided assembly and force field manipulation on cell- and tumor biology
• Collaborating with the POEM platform head as well as other postdocs and research groups in the interdisciplinary POEM network
• Integrating the findings into automated cell culture processes and assist with generation, long-term culture and analysis of patient-derived or iPSC-derived organoids

Your Profile:

• We seek a highly motivated individual with an outstanding scientific background, excellent communication skills, and a passion for organoid research and bioengineering approaches
• Experience with microfluidics is expected. Knowledge of acoustofluidics and/or cell culture and cell biology techniques is beneficial
• Competitive applicants must have obtained an outstanding doctoral degree in disciplines such as physics, mechanical or electrical engineering, biotechnology or equivalent fields and a proven record of high-level research, for example through peer-reviewed publications and conference contributions

This full-time position will be funded non-permanently for a limited period of initially 2 years via the CZS and remunerated according to TV-L. Employment at Heidelberg University needs to follow the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG). Applications should be sent as a single PDF no later than May 15^th 2025 by e-mail with subject “Application POEM 1” to Dr. Kai Melde (kai.melde@uni-heidelberg.de). Please direct any informal inquiries to Kai Melde (kai.melde@uni-heidelberg.de) or Johannes Betge (j.betge@dkfz-heidelberg.de).

Please include a motivation letter, curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a list of current research support (if applicable), a summary of teaching experience (if applicable), a research summary, a list with 3 or more referees, including contact information.

Heidelberg University stands for equal opportunities and diversity. Qualified female candidates are especially invited to apply. Persons with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Information on job advertisements and the collection of personal data is available at www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/job-market.