MIMETAS is looking for a full-time Early Stage Researcher (ESR) to join our Model Development team in Leiden, the Netherlands. You will be responsible for the development of organ-on-a-chip-based tissue- and disease models. You will operate within a team of scientists and regularly report to internal and external stakeholders.
MIMETAS is a rapidly growing company that specializes in human disease modelling using organ-on-a-chip technology. We are on a mission to pioneer the first generation of medicines grounded entirely in human data, using our unique disease modelling platform that is human, comprehensive, and scalable. Our disease models are designed to discover new therapeutic approaches and bring more drugs to patients by reducing attrition, while lowering development costs. MIMETAS has an open culture, where achievements go hand in hand with a fun place to work. Our close-knit team stays successful by maintaining a good atmosphere while working in a highly competitive field. MIMETAS’ headquarters are based in Leiden, The Netherlands and our manufacturing facility is based in Enschede, The Netherlands. We have subsidiaries in Gaithersburg, MD, USA, and Tokyo, Japan.
REMOD-HEALING is a Doctoral Network funded by the European Union Horizon Europe Programme. It brings together leading European researchers from academia and industry to address a major clinical challenge: the lack of early and effective diagnostics and treatments for chronic and acute wounds, which can lead to severe disability or death. Focusing on the underexplored role of proteases in wound healing, the consortium aims to unlock their diagnostic and therapeutic potential by studying how they remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM). REMOD-HEALING integrates expertise in proteolysis, ECM biology, structural biochemistry, advanced skin models, and biomarker development.
The network offers 11 cutting-edge doctoral projects across three research areas:
Mapping proteolytic networks in different wound types;
Uncovering structural and functional insights into key proteases and inhibitors;
Developing innovative diagnostics and protease-targeting therapies to improve healing outcomes.
Graduates of Remod-Healing will be well-prepared to enter the workplace with an innovative and beyond state-of-the-art view on different aspects in biotechnology, advanced analytical technologies, industrial and academic research, and commercial enterprises that implement translational medical approaches .
Here we specifically advertise DC position 10 ‘Skin-on-a-chip for skin wound healing/ECM remodelling research’. Mimetas’ PhD candidate will be affiliated with the University of Leiden, with Prof. Thomas Hankemeier acting as their academic promotor. For a full overview of all doctoral positions please visit: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/375945
Development and implementation of novel organ- and disease models (specifically skin-on-a-chip);
Model validation (e.g. by performing compound challenges, immunoassays, using state-of-the art cell-based and molecular assays);
Plan and execute experiments independently;
Report on a regular basis to internal stakeholders;
Disseminate your research in peer-reviewed journal
Write standard operating procedures;
Contribute to general lab duties.
You want to work in the lab in multi-disciplinary teams to tackle tough tissue modeling problems
You have a master’s degree in biology, pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical sciences, bio-engineering, or a related field;
You are experienced in high quality tissue culture, (confocal) microscopy and image analysis software;
You have experience with (live) cell-based assays and molecular analysis techniques (incl qPCR, ELISA, IF);
Your work is of high quality, you work accurately and safely;
You are a motivated, flexible, and positive team player;
You have excellent communication skills in English.
You have a passion to support new therapy discovery and development, and have an affinity to work in an international, fast-growing high-tech environment at the edge of industry and academia
You must not already be in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment
You must not have resided in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment date, and not have carried out your main activity – work, studies, etc. – in the Netherlands.
You should be able to start preferably not later than May 1st 2026
You should be eligible to work in the European Union
A challenging, full-time position;
Challenging research projects on breakthrough science;
Ample opportunities for personal development and growth;
Dissemination of your research at the international stage;
A competitive salary with benefits, such as a pension plan, all in line with EU guidelines,
A fun team with colleagues from all over the world who love what they do;
Friday afternoon drinks as part of an extensive program of social activities.
Interested in this position? Please apply with your application letter (separate) and resume together with a scanned copy of all relevant diplomas or certificates that formally entitle you to embark on a doctorate, and two letters of recommendations or contact details of two referees (all in PDF) via
our website https://mimetas.easycruit.com. We will only take applications via this site into
consideration. We do not appreciate recruiter solicitations in response to this vacancy.
31/10/2025
Recruitment team
J.H. Oortweg 19 2333CH Leiden