Understanding how cholesterol metabolism in the human body is regulated is essential to understand how nutrition prevents many non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and fatty liver disease. In that respect, we already know that what we eat has significant metabolic consequences. We also know that metabolic processes follow a circadian rhythm. A clear example is regulation of endogenous cholesterol synthesis, which clearly fluctuates over the day. An important question therefore is whether meal timing affects cholesterol metabolism. In this project, we will first map in man circadian rhythms of important markers of cholesterol synthesis and absorption. Based on these findings, we will design one or two human intervention studies to examine the importance of meal timing on cholesterol metabolism.

• You have a Master degree in the field of BioMedical Sciences / Physiology / Nutrition / Medicine and would like to further develop in this area.
• You have a real researcher’s mentality; open-minded, curious, enthusiastic, and accurate.
• You have a more than basic knowledge of statistics.
• You are capable of working independently, but you are also a team player.
• You have good organizational and communication skills. You master English in speech and writing.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Temporary employment for 4 years. Your salary would be € 2.222,- gross per month in the first year up to € 2.840,- gross per month in the fourth year according to the PhD-candidate salary scale. Each year an evaluation will take place.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees.

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 16,300 students and 4,300 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism

NUTRIM (School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism) initiates and catalyzes translational research into nutritional health benefits and risks focusing on metabolic and chronic inflammatory diseases. Through its PhD programme NUTRIM aims to educate scientists of high academic excellence and ambassadors to support and develop the filed of nutrition, metabolism and toxicology within and outside the Netherlands. 16 Biomedical, clinical, and behavioural-science departments are incorporated within NUTRIM.

https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/school-nutrition-and-translational-research-metabolism