Overweight is threatening global public health, among others by increasing risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We are looking for a postdoctoral investigator for our research into impaired organ blood flow in overweight and type 2 diabetes, with a focus on changes in fat tissue functioning within organs.

Fat tissue plays a central role in regulation of metabolism, organ function and cardiovascular disease. In overweight subjects, adipose tissue is a driver of glucose uptake as well as failure of organs such as the heart, skeletal muscles and the kidneys. Adipose tissue depots show large biological differences, and the relationship between different depots and diabetes and cardiovascular diseases is unclear. Organ fat tissue, most situated around the organ vasculature (perivascular fat or PVAT), shows a strong relation to organ failure but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood.

The research will focus on the causes of adipose tissue formation and dysfunction in organs, particularly impairment of organ blood flow and metabolism. In addition, the phenotype of dysfunctional PVAT will be characterized in different disease conditions. For this research within the Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM) we are looking for a postdoctoral investigator. The research will be translational, on human tissues as well as (animal)models for overweight. The goal of the research line is development of new methodology for preventing, diagnosing, and treating type 2 diabetes and organ failure.

The research is embedded in the university of Maastricht and the Cardiovascular Research Institute (CARIM). In addition, the research will take place in (inter)local, national and international networks in research on diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and these networks are readily available to the investigator.

In addition to the design, conduction and publication of research the investigator is expected to develop personally and to contribute to the development of the research group.  This contribution will consist of supervision of PhD and MSc students and (co)writing of project grants. These tasks will be carried out in teams.

• You have a Master’s degree in (medical) biology or similar and a PhD degree in diabetes, cardiovascular disease ar a related topic;
• You are driven, enthusiastic, thorough, creative and resourceful;
• You have experience in biochemical and molecular-biological techniques and in vivo phenotyping of mice;
• You work well individually and in teams;
• You have affinity with overweight- and diabetes-related diseases;
• Experience in microsurgery techniques is desirable.

Fixed-term contract: 3 years, with option for extension with 1 year.

The position (1.0 FTE) is temporary for the duration of 1 year, with option for extension wiht 1 year.
Depending on experience and qualification, the maximum gross monthly salary is
€ 4.474,- in accordance with scale 10 of the Dutch university collective bargaining agreement.

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.