PhD Position Epigenetic Editing for Cultivated Meat (Biotechnology)

TL;DR

PhD Position Epigenetic Editing for Cultivated Meat (Biotechnology): Developing cutting-edge epigenetic tools to engineer bovine satellite cell lines for scalable, cruelty-free meat production with an accent on DNA and histone-modifying tools. Focus on improving suspension culture, metabolic efficiency, and reducing growth factor requirements through sequence-specific reprogramming.

Location: Must relocate to Delft, Netherlands

Salary: €3,059 – €3,881 gross per month

Company

A top international university combining science, engineering, and design to address global challenges in energy, climate, mobility, health, and digital society.

What you will do

• Develop tools and methods for epigenetic editing using sequence-specific DNA and histone-modifying tools.
• Engineer bovine satellite cell lines to achieve improved phenotypes regarding suspension culture and metabolic efficiency.
• Conduct research as part of the NWO Open Technology Programme.
• Coordinate and collaborate with several industrial parties.
• Supervise and mentor MSc and BSc students within the Flack group.

Requirements

• MSc degree in cell biology, biotechnology, or a related biological science field.
• Practical lab experience in molecular biology, cloning, and genetic manipulation.
• English proficiency required for academic communication, courses, and thesis writing.
• Strong interest in cellular agriculture and cultivated meat.
• Proven collaboration, communication, and scientific writing skills.

Nice to have

• Prior expertise with mammalian cell culture.
• Experience with gene editing and cell engineering techniques such as CRISPR/Cas.

Culture & Benefits

• Fully funded 4-year doctoral program with salary increases per year.
• Enrollment in the hirify.global Graduate School with access to a structured Doctoral Education Programme.
• Comprehensive relocation support via the Coming to Delft Service, including networking events.
• Customizable compensation package, health insurance discounts, and monthly work costs contribution.
• Flexible work schedules and a Dual Career Programme to support accompanying partners.

Hiring process

• Application review based on CV and cover letter.
• Completion of a short technical task (scheduled for the first week of May).
• Knowledge security risk assessment during the final selection stages.