The work will combine basic and translational science as well as imaging by using experimental animals to introduce a novel multi-morbid disease model. This model will be used to characterize disease-impact in depth and apply state-of-the-art imaging modalities. The candidate should have strong affinity with experimental animal research. Additionally, a background in molecular imaging (i.e. PET/ SPECT, MRI, CT) is a perquisite. Moreover, the candidate needs to have excellent communication skills as the PhD position is centered around the faculty of Health, Medicine and life sciences (FHML) and the schools of Cardiovascular disease (CARIM), school of Mental and Neurosciences (MHENS) and the institute of cancer research (MAASTRO).

We offer a position in one of the youngest and leading Universities in the field of vascular disease, cancer biology and neuroscience with an excellent network of international collaborators and longstanding experience in translational science.

The candidate should have a biomedical or molecular biology background and interest in complex pathophysiology of diseases of the cardiovascular system, cancer biology and the influence thereof on mental health. We are looking for a highly motivated person that is dedicated to work full time in the arena of experimental research and have the potential to work both independently and within a translational team. The daily work is laboratory-based and includes a number of in vivo and in vitro molecular techniques used in modern laboratories. Willingness to work with experimental animals is key and the required documents to work with experimental animals (Felasa B/C, Art 9) will be assessed as highly meritorious. Additional experience in bioinformatics analyses and tissue processing will be judged positive. 

The appointed person will be expected to plan, perform, analyze and interpret experimental results independently and within the Team, present at congresses, and participate in local and external collaboration networks. Willingness to work flexibly in order to achieve project demands and targets as agreed within a Team is necessary. Being able to organize and prioritize work, as well as organizing research within the project timetable is essential. Maintaining accurate and up to date records is necessary. Fluency in English is a requirement, knowledge of Dutch is not necessary but will be considered advantageous. Good social and analytical skills are essentia

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Temporary employment for 4 years. The first year will be a probation period, after a positive assessment the position will be extended for another 3 years, which happens in the vast majority of cases. Your salary would be € 2.395,- gross per month in the first year up to € 3.061,- 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 https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/support/um-employees

Maastricht University

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 18,000 students and 4,400 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 Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

School CD - CARIM

With an annual budget of more than 20 M€, CARIM is one of the largest cardiovascular research institutes in Europe, producing more than 500 scientific articles and approximately 40 PhD dissertations per year. In the last ten years, CARIM papers were published in high impact journals such as Cell, JAMA, Nature Medicine, New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Circulation, and Lancet Neurology.

CARIM offers a very broad range of facilities covering the entire field of translational cardiovascular research and many internship opportunities, taking advantage of its connection with a large academic hospital. CARIM has an open and dynamic work culture in which talented and ambitious young people work side by side with renowned researchers and medical specialists. CARIM is an active research institute that enables its employees and provides support, such as assistance with applications for research grants and funding, a talent development programme and a Research Council, that reviews project proposals before they are submitted. CARIM provides a dynamic, critical learning environment, which proves to be fertile ground for top achievements in the field of cardiovascular research.