The Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), in partnership with the Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc) in the Netherlands, is offering a postdoctoral position with support from the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) for a project in the area of tissue engineering entitled “Sub3DSkin: a dermal substitute and 3D model of chronic diabetic wounds.”
Would you like to contribute to research that improves healing of diabetic ulcers? Diabetic skin wounds are a major health problem without an effective cure. This collaborative project involves developing regenerative scaffolds that can promote healing in diabetic wounds and creating an in vitro model for human diabetic skin. Advanced materials will be tested using this diabetic skin model, and the results will be validated via established pre-clinical tests. This approach is intended to expand the treatment options for diabetic patients and promote advances in the areas of engineering, cell biology, and disease models.
The project is a collaboration between Brazil and the Netherlands, with multiple cooperating partners including physicians, companies, and patient organizations which extend its translational impact. This four-year project in Brazil is funded by FAPESP and will take place within the Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio) at CNPEM, with a foreign internship component at the Radboudumc lab.
At CNPEM, the fellow will concentrate on the development, characterization, and evaluation of the diabetic skin model, and will test natural dermal substitute models to promote healing of diabetic wounds which are developed by the Dutch laboratory. The proof of concept for the dermal substitutes to treat diabetic wounds will be evaluated in mouse models.
Tasks and responsibilities
- Develop, prepare, and characterize the biofabricated diabetic skin model.
- Establish a correlation between diabetic wound models in animals and biofabricated models.
- Evaluate the performance and biocompatibility of the developed models in in vitro and in vivo models.
- Collaborate with researchers, physicians, and industrial partners to ensure the translational potential of the skin substitutes that are developed.
- Prepare presentations for project meetings, write progress reports, and present results.
- Disseminate the resulting knowledge via scientific publications and presentations at domestic and international conferences.
Desired profile
- Master’s and doctoral studies in biomedical science, molecular biology, biomechanical engineering, or related disciplines.
- Strong experience in cell culture, tissue engineering, or related areas.
- Develop practical experience with cell culture and qPCR.
- Practical competencies in microscopy (fluorescence/SEM).
- Able to work independently as well as collaborate in a multidisciplinary research environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Practical experience in animal experimentation.
- Practical competencies in (immuno)histopathology.
- Familiarity with the biology of diabetes and diabetic wounds is desirable.
How to apply
The documents listed below must be emailed to ana.figueira@lnbio.cnpem.br by April 1, 2024:
- Letter of interest containing complete contact information and citizenship/immigration status, demonstrating knowledge of the areas mentioned above in a clear yet concise manner.
- Complete CV.
- Letter of introduction with names/contact information for 3 references.
Please send your email with “NWO/FAPESP Postdoc” in the subject line.
Please note: this opportunity is open to candidates of all nationalities. The successful candidate will receive a FAPESP postdoctoral fellowship, as well as a discretionary fund for expenses related to research activities. To receive the fellowship funding, the selected candidate must be approved by FAPESP; to learn more about the scholarship and fellowship opportunities offered by FAPESP, please visit: https://fapesp.br/bolsas.
If you have any questions, please contact us at ana.figueira@lnbio.cnpem.br
