The PhD-project focuses on insulin sensitivity as related to skeletal muscle perfusion by performing human dietary intervention studies. State-of-the-art (magnetic resonance) imaging methodologies will be used to measure perfusion of the skeletal muscle. The PhD-student - who wants to become an expert in metabolic human research - will perform studies using a range of techniques, including hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps, mitochondrial function tests, and non-invasive vascular function measurements. A short-term and longer-term intervention, using a novel combination of bioactive food components, will be conducted to manipulate skeletal muscle perfusion in insulin-resistant subjects. Metabolic (insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function) and vascular (macro- en microvascular function) effects will also be monitored.

We offer a challenging research project on top-notch research facilities for metabolic research.
The successful candidate will be involved in planning and conducting the human studies, performing the physiological testing, and interpreting and reporting data. All studies will be performed in a team setting, in collaborations with different experts of NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism in the Netherlands, and in tight collaboration with the food industry (Nutricia Research). NUTRIM is one of the internationally leading institutes in the research of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

• Master degree in biomedical sciences, medicine, (medical) biology, health sciences, physiology, movement sciences or nutrition
• Experienced with human studies is an advantage
• A real researcher’s mentality: open-minded, curious, enthusiastic, motivated, persevering, and accurate
• Team player with good organizational, communication and social skills, and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment
• Excellent spoken and written English

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

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 https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/support/um-employees

Temporary employment for 4 years. After one year, an evaluation takes place and a go-no go decision will be taken for another 3 years. Each year an evaluation takes place.

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-student salary scale.

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 16,500 students and 4,000 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.

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 research master and 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. The school is a partner in the national Top Institutes TI Food&Nutrition, TI-Pharma and the Centre for Translational Molecular Medicine (CTMM). These unique consortia of government, industry and research aim to stimulate the transfer of knowledge generated in fundamental research to Dutch industry and thus to strengthen its innovative power and competitive strength.