Postdoctoral Fellow

Postdoctoral Fellow (Christchurch) - 3D Bioprinting and Regenerative Medicine

2202137

**UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO, CHRISTCHURCH**
**DEPARTMENT OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY AND MUSCULOSKELETAL MEDICINE**
**CENTRE FOR BIOENGINEERING & NANOMEDICINE**

**_Mō te tīma/About our team_**

The University of Otago is New Zealand's oldest University and has a strong teaching and research tradition, rated 5 plus for quality by QS stars, and well-established national and international linkages. It is also one of New Zealand's largest universities, with over 20,000 students, assets in excess of $2.0 billion and 4,000 full time equivalent staff based in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and Invercargill.

This is a fixed term position undertaking research for the Christchurch Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering (CReaTE) group within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, in addition to the Centre for Bioengineering & Nanomedicine, University of Otago Christchurch.

The CReaTE research group is internationally recognized for its high-impact research investigates new techniques and technologies for engineering advanced biomaterials and complex 3-dimensional (3D) tissue models applied to musculoskeletal Regenerative Medicine.

Our interdisciplinary team of engineers, cell biologists, molecular biologists, polymer chemists and orthopaedic, and plastic/reconstructive surgeons work together across disciplines and in New Zealand’s most advanced Biofabrication and 3D Bioprinting Facility, combining in-vitro/in vivo culture techniques, adult human stem cells, advanced bio-ink and bio-resin design to develop translational Regenerative Medicine strategies, connecting with national and international collaborators and medtech/biofabrication industry.

**_Te mahi/The role_**

An outstanding opportunity exists for a talented early career scientist in the CReaTE Group. As a postdoctoral fellow, you will be working on a project focused on Bioconvergence technologies in developmental engineering, using biofabrication technologies as your tool.

You will focus on advanced biomaterials and bioink development for 3D Bioprinting/bio-assembly strategies to engineer hybrid constructs for regenerative medicine, specifically probing 3D models and translation of spheroid/organoid microenvironments.

This work will leverage our novel light-activated hydrogel platform that has been commercialised and access our state-of-the-art Biofabrication Facility and 3D biofabrication technologies including extrusion bioprinting, embedded bioprinting, lithography/DLP bioprinting and melt electro-writing.

Your project will involve key national and international collaborations (Australia, Germany, Netherlands and Korea) currently established within the group, which you be expected to actively engage and maintain.

You will also be expected to contribute to the research line with preparation of high impact peer-reviewed publications, as well as grant and project proposals.

**_Kā pūkeka me kā wheako/Skills and experience_**
- A PhD degree in engineering/bioengineering, polymer chemistry, or biomaterials science.
- A passion for coming up with new ideas, technologies or materials and implementing them, using a range of multidisciplinary knowledge towards clinical and/or commercial translation.
- Skills and experience working with multiple 3D Bioprinting technologies, organoid models, development of hydrogels and biomaterial scaffolds, characterisation of hydrogels and biomaterial scaffolds, and in vitro 3D cell culture models.
- The ability to work successfully in a team and demonstrate leadership qualities including student supervision.
- Interest engaging with PhD and Early Career Researcher initiatives and opportunities.
- Experience planning large in vitro/in vivo animal experiments and independently managing and completing research projects is desirable.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.

**_Pūroko/Further details_**

This is a full-time (1FTE), fixed term (2 year) position, based in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Specific enquiries regarding the role may be directed to Professor Tim Woodfield, via the contact details below.

**_Tono/Application_**
- A CV.
- A cover letter.
- Sample publications and/or abstract page from PhD thesis.
- Three referee contact details.