PhD position: Rationally engineered hydrogels to control osteogenesis via mechanoregulation

The University of Basel is offering a PhD position focused on the interdisciplinary study of bone tissue engineering through the development of rationally engineered hydrogels. The project aims to create cell-instructive matrices with tunable viscoelastic properties to investigate how mechanical stimulation influences osteogenesis in human dental pulp stem cells. The successful candidate will combine experimental techniques, such as cell culture and rheometry, with computational modeling to predict cellular responses. This role is affiliated with the Swiss Nanoscience Institute and offers a collaborative environment with access to state-of-the-art core facilities. Applicants are expected to be self-driven and interested in bridging biology, material science, and computational analysis.

• Design and synthesize multi-functional, cell-instructive hydrogels with controlled architecture and viscoelastic properties.
• Perform in-depth characterization of hydrogels using rheometry and atomic force microscopy.
• Conduct mammalian cell culture experiments and analyze cellular responses using microscopy and qRT-PCR.
• Develop and implement computational models to elucidate and predict the relationship between matrix properties and cell behavior.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team across the Medical Faculty and the Faculty of Science.
• Present research findings and contribute to the development of osteoinductive scaffolds.