Doctoral Researcher (PhD) Position in Organ-on-Chip and Advanced In Vitro Models

The Translational Organ Microsystems Group at the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg invites applications for a PhD candidate position in organ-on-chip technology. The successful candidate will focus on creating immunocompetent human lung-on-chip models that integrate airway epithelial, endothelial, and immune cells within microfluidic platforms. This research explores pulmonary barrier responses, infection, and tissue injury under physiological fluid flow and mechanical stimulation. Applicants are expected to conduct rigorous experimental work, collaborate within an interdisciplinary environment, and contribute to advancing translational biomedical models.

• Design and fabricate microfluidic and perfusable organ-on-chip culture platforms.
• Culture and integrate human airway epithelial, endothelial, and immune cells into advanced in vitro models.
• Investigate immune cell recruitment, transmigration, and pulmonary barrier responses under physiological conditions.
• Analyze host-pathogen interactions and mechanisms of pulmonary inflammation and tissue injury.
• Perform functional characterization of engineered lung models using advanced microscopy and mechanical assays.