The Youth, Food, and Health research group at Maastricht University Campus Venlo of the Faculty of Science and Engineering is looking for a post-doctoral researcher (‘post-doc’; 0.8/1,0 fte) for studying the role of the (developing) gut microbiome in children’s food choices, taste sensitivity, and food cravings. The post-doctoral researcher will conduct the research as part of the centre for Healthy Eating and Food Innovation (HEFI); specifically, the research line Gut Microbiology led by Professor Koen Venema. S/he will conduct high quality research on the question if and how (particular members of) the child’s gut microbiome (its composition, diversity, and metabolic activity) directs eating behaviour and if and how food choices impact the developing gut microbiome. How does the presumed reciprocal relationship between food intake and gut microbiome affect the child’s current and future health and overall quality of life? Research, for example, will encompass the development of nutrition interventions and testing its effects on gut microbiota to determine ways to modulate the child’s gut microbiome for optimizing health. Bioinformatic tool generation to study correlations between host and microbiota are an integral part of the job.

·         PhD degree in microbiology, bioinformatics or a related field;

·         Affinity with child health and eating behaviour;

·         Excellent research skills with a track record of publications pertaining to the area of gut microbiology;

·         Excellent data management skills and experience (i.e., data wrangling, analyses, data visualization)

·         Excellent organisational skills;

·         Excellent English language skills (written and spoken);

·         A conscientious, creative personality, and independent thinker.

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 http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees.

Contract: 4 years

The appointment as post-doc will be for an initial period of four years:

• 0,8 fte/1,0 fte (meaning 30.4/38 hours per week);
• A competitive salary set in salary scale 10 of the collective labour agreement of the Dutch Universities depending on qualifications and work experience (expected minimum € 2.790 and maximum € 4.402,00) for a full-time job (38 hours/week). An 8% holiday and an 8.3% year-end allowance is also provided.

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.

Campus Venlo

Campus Venlo hosts the Liberal Arts and Sciences University College Venlo (as part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering), plus the master educational tracks in Global Supply Chain Management and Change, and in Health Food Innovation Management.

Research at Campus Venlo

Campus Venlo also hosts several research lines such as Youth, Food and Health, and research institutes such as the Centre for Healthy Eating and Food Innovation, which includes the Gut Microbiology research line.