The worldwide increase in non-communicable diseases, including obesity and diabetes type II, impact not only life expectancy but represent a major challenge for our health care systems. We now understand that optimal development in early life, better known as the first 1000 days from conception until the age of 2yrs, sets the stage for later health. Research within this so called Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) field has shown that, for instance, infants born from mothers with gestational diabetes or obese mothers are at an increased risk for birth complications as well as fast postnatal growth. The growth trajectories of these infants are associated with excess adipose tissue development, an increased risk for (childhood) obesity as well as Diabetes type II in later life, also for the mother. An early recognition of these developmental challenges may allow for intervention strategies that could attenuate or even prevent the development of chronic diseases for both mother and offspring.

The present PhD project will investigate the relationship between changes in the glucose-insulin metabolism of the mother over the course of pregnancy and lactation and the growth and body composition development of her child. To this end clinical research will be performed using meal challenge tests over the course of pregnancy and lactation compared to standard diagnostic testing using an oral glucose tolerance test. The link between metabolic adaptations in the mother and pregnancy outcome will be investigated based on known risk factors for gestational diabetes. In addition, detailed anthropometric data will be collected in the infants up to 6 months of age.

- We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a background in clinical nutrition, medicine, epidemiology or life sciences, with an interest in physiology, metabolism and biochemistry.
- The project will involve research in human subjects. A background in Medicine and/or previous experience in clinical and/or epidemiological research is a plus. Fluency in Dutch is required to allow for optimal interaction with study participants.
- Candidates should be flexible and accurate and have good social and communication skills.
- Candidates should have good organizational skills to be able to handle the organizational, logistic and administrative challenges of performing clinical research.

The UMCG has a preventive Hepatitis B policy. You may be required to build up sufficient protection against Hepatitis B before you can be appointed. Vaccination is provided by the UMCG if necessary.

Your salary is € 2.279,- gross per month in the first year up to a maximum of € 2.919,- gross per month in the last fourth year (scale PhD). Maximum hours per week: 36. In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus and a development budget. The terms of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centers (CAO-UMC).

More information
For more information please contact:
Eline M. van der Beek, PhD, Professor in Nutritional Programming, phone +31 (0)6 52396709, e.m.van.der.beek@umcg.nl
Sicco Scherjon, MD, PhD, Professor in Obstetrics , phone +31 (0)50 3613693
s.a.scherjon@umcg.nl
(please do not use e-mailadresses for applications)

See also the links under related information in the upper right corner.