The heart of this project will be the assessment of arterial/aneurysmal structure and function. In our laboratory we are currently performing such studies on small (murine) arteries using a dynamic, biaxial testing methodology (https://dynamx.info/). You will expand and use this methodology to test large arteries.

In your PhD project, you will:

• Conduct human tissue studies and animal experiments;
• Develop and improve biaxial testing of human and animal large arteries;
• Be involved in the finalisation stage of DynamX-L development;
• Devise and optimise testing protocols;
• Collaborate closely with basic scientists, engineers, and MDs.

You will study several pathologies, including the effects of hypoxia in utero on arterial development, thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD), and diabetes. By looking at such broad spectrum of diseases, we aim to identify common functional and structural (patho)physiological denominators.

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field;
• Affection with biomechanics;
• Willingness to perform/assist in animal experiments (preferably holding a Dutch Article 9 of the Experiments on Animals Act /Wet op de Dierproeven certification);
• Strong team player; perseverant
• Eager to learn and to collaborate with people outside one’s field of expertise.

This position offers a dynamic and challenging multi-disciplinary environment, where you will work closely with two other PhD students (one MD, one engineer) and a postdoc. Our team is embedded in the CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, a top cardiovascular research institute with expert supervision and high-tech infrastructure. Within CARIM, the Department of Biomedical Engineering focuses on applied cardiovascular engineering in both cardiac and vascular fields, and maintains strong ties with Maastricht University Medical Centre.

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 € 2.434,- gross per month in the first year up to € 3.111,- gross per month in the fourth year according to the PhD-candidate salary scale. An 8% holiday and an 8.3% year-end allowance is also provided. 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 > About UM > Working at UM.

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 20,000 students and 4,700 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. For more information, visit www.maastrichtuniversity.nl.