Postdoctoral position in Tissue-Engineered Vascular Grafts

Centre of biomedical research and innovation (CiiB); Laboratory of nanoRegenerative Medicine, faculty of medicine, Universidad de los Andes; Tissue Engineering and Biofabrication Group

About this position

A FONDEF IT project is looking for talented and motivated postdoctoral researchers to participate in the development, pre-clinical study, and scale-up of a new tissue engineering vascular access for hemodialysis. The research fellow will get involved in formulating new biomaterials and composites for the automated manufacturing of tissue-engineered vascular grafts. The project requires the use of technical skills in cell biology, biomaterials, cell signaling, cell culture, cell-based screening assays, and molecular biology. Some methodologies include basic synthesis of specialized biomaterials, automated biofabrication, microtechnology, cell sorting, coagulation assays, and immunogenicity evaluations. The postdoctoral fellow will be tightly working within a team of biochemists, engineers, and surgeons.

Duties and responsibilities

• Screening new formulations of biomaterial composites to reach specific biological requirements for a vascular access.
• Designing and conducting experiments to unveil the mechanism of action behind the interaction of cells with vascular access.
• Evaluate cell responses in vitro.
• Studying the remodeling fate of a vascular graft in an in vivo
• Analyzing and interpreting data
• Preparation of written reports
• Presentations at national and international meetings
• Preparation and publication of scientific articles
• Preparation and submission of grant applications
• Co-supervising master and undergraduate students

Ideal candidates should commit to a two-year postdoctoral investigation and hold a doctoral degree in Biology, biochemistry, biomaterials science, chemistry, biotechnology, or similar areas. Preferred qualifications for candidates are experienced in cell and molecular biology in vascular systems and coagulation, tissue engineering and/or immunology. Candidates must have proficient productivity in science, teamwork aptitudes, and good communication in English.

About the CiiB Center

The CiiB is presented as a space for interdisciplinary interaction of high quality and where the infrastructure, equipment and administrative management are fully at the disposal of different academics and research groups to encourage the generation and transmission of knowledge and innovation to the society.

The CiiB carries out multiple research projects that address relevant biomedical problems from different disciplinary perspectives. In this way, the CiiB promotes basic and applied science that persuades the final goal of bringing innovative biomedical solutions to patients with severe health/disease conditions. Catalyzing the gained knowledge into a translational pathway for life-saving therapies is our ultimate challenge.

The CiiB center has been established in the context of a unique teamwork of multidisciplinary scientists with national and international partners and with a profound commitment to science and innovation. The University of the Andes has strategically located this center near the University Clinic to promote translation projects.

The interested and eligible candidates must send applications (CV, 2-3 contacts of references) via e-mail to Juan Pablo Acevedo (jpacevedo@uandes.cl).

Publication date: 05 abril 2022