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PhD Position Modelling-inspired Cell Engineering for Upscaled Cultivated Meat
Are you ready to combine innovative computational approaches with cutting-edge genetic tools to engineer the next generation of cell lines for cost-effective, scalable, delicious cruelty-free meat?!
Job description
‘Cultivated meat’, the production of genuine meat products from in vitro culture of animal cells, is an emerging biotechnology within the field of cellular agriculture with the potential to revolutionise food production from both an environmental and ethical perspective. Unfortunately, higher eukaryotic cells in their unmodified state have severe limitations with respect to in vitro culture, presenting major challenges for the scalability of cultivated meat bioprocesses. These include slow proliferation rates, sensitivity to shear stress and a marked preference for adherent growth, amongst others.
Cell engineering offers a potential solution to develop more scalable cell lines, but is held back by a limited understanding of the conditions that cells experience in large-scale cultures. We are hiring for a PhD student to join the group for a fully-funded project of 4 years to tackle this problem!
Within the Flack and Haringa groups, you will develop computational tools (such as compartment models and CFD simulations) to model large-scale animal cell culture in bioreactors, and use your models to design and develop scale-down systems for cell culture that mimic the heteregenous environment cells experience at large scale. You will then engineer bovine satellite cell lines with a variety of new and improved phenotypes, relating to (for example) shear stress resistance, metabolite gradient tolerance, and metabolic efficiency, demonstrating their performance first in your scale-down systems, and later in large bioreactors.
Within the scope of computational modelling and cell engineering for cultivated meat, there will be flexibility to design and direct your own research projects, and to become acquainted with new techniques and approaches. There will be opportunities to supervise MSc and BSc students in the group. Advice and discussion will be available for candidates interested in both academic and industry careers. We are a friendly, collaborative group and are looking for a highly motivated student with strong scientific communication skills. You will be joining a dynamic department with broad interests in biotechnology and synthetic biology across all domains of life.
The research is funded as part of the Cellular Agriculture Netherlands Open Calls Programme, and will involve collaboration and coordination with various industrial parties and external experts.
For more information, please refer to the Flack Group website and/or get in touch.
Job requirements
The ideal candidate will be an ambitious, proactive, reflective, and results-driven researcher. We are looking for the following:
MSc degree in a relevant field, such as cell biology, biotechnology or a related field of biological sciences (essential).
Prior lab experience in molecular biology, cloning and genetic manipulation (essential).
Prior experience or strong interest in computational modelling or other dry-lab techniques (highly desirable).
Prior experience with mammalian cell culture (desirable, but not essential).
A strong interest in cellular agriculture/cultivated meat is essential, although specific prior experience in this area is not expected or required.
Strong collaboration, communication and writing skills.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.
For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.
These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.
At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.
Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.
Faculty Applied Sciences
With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.
about this vacancy or our research group, please contact Dr. Joshua Flack (
[email protected]). PhD position is envisaged to start at the end of 2026 or January 2027.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 2 August 2026 upload the following documents:
Your CV (max. 3 pages)
Cover letter (max. 2 pages)
Please clearly outline your past molecular biology experience. The next step in the process, if you are selected, will involve the completion of a short task in the week of 3rd August. If you know you will not be available in that week, you should apply by 19th July and contact Josh by email to make special arrangements.
You can address your application to Dr. Joshua Flack.
Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.
Please note:
You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.
Faculty/Department: Faculty of Applied Sciences
Salary range: €3059 - €3881
Submission is possible until: 2 Aug 2026
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