Phd In Bioprinting And Tumor Biology

Admission to Doctoral (PhD) Studies in the Subject of Medical Cell Biology with Specialization in Bioprintingat the Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Uppsala UniversityAbout the Company — Brinter AM Technologies Oy, and the Department of Medical Cell BiologyBrinter AM Technologies Oy is a Finnish deep-tech company headquartered in Turku, specialising in modular 3D bioprinting and pharmaceutical printing solutions for research, clinical, and industrial applications. Brinter AM develops versatile additive-manufacturing systems that integrate multiple technologies. The company operates at the intersection of life sciences, automation, and advanced manufacturing, contributing to several EU-funded projects in tissue engineering, personalised medicine, and ATMP production.Brinter AM works within a strong innovation and regulatory ecosystem and collaborates with leading universities, hospitals, and industry partners. Its compact and scalable platforms support both R&D and GMP-compliant workflows. The company’s international team brings together engineers, scientists, and clinicians to develop next-generation 3D bioprinters and therapeutic manufacturing systems.Read more about us here: https://www.brinteram.comThe Department of Medical Cell Biology at Uppsala University is a dynamic and international research environment focusing on cell biological and physiological solutions to major societal challenges. Research at the department spans diabetes, inflammation, cancer, neurobiology, and cell signalling, and includes 3D manufacturing for life-science applications. The department also hosts the U-PRINT 3D bioprinting facility, which provides infrastructure and expertise to support research in this area. Over 30 doctoral students are currently enrolled, and the department plays a key role in teaching anatomy, histology, cell biology, and physiology across several educational programmes.Read more about us here: https://www.mcb.uu.seProject DescriptionThis position (Doctoral Candidate 3 – DC3) is part of the EU-funded Print4Life Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) coordinated by Prof. Cecilia Persson at Uppsala University. The network comprises 8 doctoral-candidate host institutions (Uppsala University, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Dublin City University, Universidade do Minho, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon GmbH, Hydrumedical SA, Brinter AM Technologies Oy, ETH Zürich) and 6 associated partners (FHNW, PBC Ltd, XapHe, Quintus Technologies AB, CAU zu Kiel, and Region Uppsala / Uppsala University Hospital).The Print4Life Network aims to provide advanced research training in additive manufacturing of biomaterials and tissues of the future. In total, 17 doctoral candidates will be recruited; this position is one of two based primarily in the Medical Cell Biology group at Uppsala University.Project FocusThe PhD project will focus on developing bioprinted 3D tissue models to study tumour invasion and immune response. The recruited doctoral candidate will carry out interdisciplinary research combining extrusion-based bioprinting and ECM-derived bioinks to fabricate 3D microenvironments for mechanistic studies of tumour–immune interactions.Project objectives include:Development of novel ECM-based bioinks derived from healthy and cancerous tissues (in collaboration with Uppsala University).Use of extrusion-based bioprinting to fabricate 3D tumour-microenvironment models.Embedding of tumour spheroids and analysis of interactions with immune cells.Evaluation of mechanobiological properties and immune-cell infiltration in gradient-density hydrogels.The doctoral candidate will work closely with other students and researchers in the Print4Life network, and will undertake both short and long research stays at Uppsala University (Sweden) and a shorter stay at the University of Minho (Portugal).Supervisors:Assoc. Prof. Gry Hulsart Billström (Uppsala University) – Main academic supervisorProf. Cecilia Persson (Uppsala University) – Co-supervisorMr. Tomi Kalpio and Mr. Dhayakumar Rajan Prakash (Brinter AM Technologies Oy, Finland) – Industrial co-supervisorsDutiesDoctoral students devote themselves primarily to their research studies, which include participation in research projects and doctoral courses. The work may also involve limited departmental duties (maximum 20%).Main tasks include:Design and formulation of ECM-based bioinks from cancerous and healthy tissues.Optimisation of bioprinting protocols using Brinter AM’s modular multi-material printing platforms.Mechanical and rheological characterisation of bioinks and constructs.Development and validation of in vitro models for tumour growth, spheroid invasion, and immune-cell infiltration.High-throughput screening of immune responses in tunable 3D matrices.Compilation, critical analysis, and publication of results in peer-reviewed journals.Active participation in Print4Life training events, conferences, and dissemination activities.RequirementsEssential:Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Tissue Engineering, Regenerative Medicine, Materials Science, Biology, Biophysics, Biotechnology, or a related field.Documented experience in mammalian cell culture (required).Good oral and written communication skills in English.Preferred / Beneficial:Prior experience with bioprinting or other 3D fabrication techniques.Familiarity with CAD software (e.g., Fusion 360, SolidWorks, or bioprinting path-design tools).Experience or strong interest in microfluidics or biofabrication system design.Experience in biomaterials, hydrogel formulation, cancer biology, or immunology.Candidates lacking direct experience in bioprinting or microfluidics but showing strong motivation to learn are encouraged to apply.Great emphasis is placed on personal qualities such as independence, goal orientation, collaboration skills, and the ability to maintain focus during periods of high workload.MSCA Mobility Rule (Strict Eligibility Condition)To be eligible for this Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) position, the applicant must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Finland and Sweden — the host country of Brinter AM Technologies Oy — for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the expected recruitment date (1 March 2026).This means:✅ You are eligible if you have lived, studied, or worked outside Finland and Sweden for at least 24 of the past 36 months (short visits such as holidays or conferences do not count).❌ You are not eligible if you have lived, studied, or worked in Finland and Sweden for more than 12 months during that period, even if you are not Finnish or are currently living elsewhere.Only candidates fulfilling this mobility requirement can be considered for recruitment under the MSCA programme.Application InstructionsYour application must include:A short cover letter describing yourself, your motivation for pursuing a PhD, and your suitability for this position.A CV (maximum 2 pages).Certified copies of your Master’s degree certificate and transcripts.Copies (or drafts) of your Master’s thesis and any publications or other documents you wish to reference.Names and contact details of at least two referees, including a description of your relationship with each.Please compile your application as a single PDF (or as individual files) and send it by email to:📧 contact@brinteram.com(Attn: Tomi Kalpio / Dhayakumar Rajan Prakash)You may also contact:Assoc. Prof. Gry Hulsart Billström 📧 gry.hulsart_billstrom@mcb.uu.se Applications will be evaluated continuously, and interviews conducted on a rolling basis.About the EmploymentThis is a temporary full-time (100%) doctoral position in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5 § 7.Start date: 1 March 2026 (or as agreed) Location: Turku, FinlandDoctoral candidates employed through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie programme will receive a salary in accordance with MSCA regulations:Approx. €5 442 gross/month (without family allowance).National and local taxes will be deducted before payment of the net salary.The position may be subject to security vetting; successful clearance is required for employment.Please do not send offers of recruitment or advertising services.Application deadline: 31 December 2025 Reference: UFV-PA 2025/2929