A healthy lifestyle is a cornerstone to maintain a healthy brain and liver, which is instrumental for the prevention of age-related diseases such as cognitive impairment and cardiovascular diseases, and liver-related complications such as type II diabetes. The successful PhD-student will focus on well-controlled human intervention studies to establish cause-effect relationships along the axis “human metabolism - brain and liver health - cognitive performance”. For this, state-of-the-art (magnetic resonance) imaging methodologies and novel biomarkers are being used. A first emphasis will be on the effect of a dietary intervention on both the brain and periphery in study participants at increased risk of cognitive impairment. Furthermore, relationships between diet-induced changes in the brain and the liver will be further established in trials performed by the Physiology of Human Nutrition (PHuN) research group.

We offer a challenging research project with top-notch research facilities for metabolic research. The successful candidate will work in a team of nutritionists and physiologists of the School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM) in the Netherlands. He/she will be involved in planning and conducting human intervention studies, analyzing and interpreting the obtained data, and reporting research results. All studies will be performed in a team setting and in collaborations with different experts of NUTRIM.

When you meet the following requirements and you want to do your research as a PhD-candidate in an inspiring environment, please do not hesitate to respond to this vacancy:

• Master degree in biomedical sciences, medicine, (medical) biology, health sciences, physiology, neurosciences or nutrition;
• Experienced with human studies and statistical methods is an advantage;
• A real researcher’s mentality: open-minded, curious, enthusiastic, motivated, persevering, and accurate;
• Team player with good organizational, communication and social skills, and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment;
• Excellent spoken and written English.
   

After one year, an evaluation takes place and a go-no go decision will be taken for another 3 years. Each year an evaluation will take place.

The salary is according to the standard salary level for PhD candidates, starting with a salary of € 2,541 in the first year, with a annual growth to € 3,247 gross a month in the fourth year (based on a full-time appointment, 38 hours/week). An 8% holiday and an 8.3% year-end allowance is also provided.

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 22,000 students and about 5,000 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

This project is situated within NUTRIM - School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM). NUTRIM initiates and catalyzes translational research into nutritional health benefits and risks focusing on metabolic and chronic inflammatory diseases. Through its research master and PhD program NUTRIM aims to educate scientists of high academic excellence and ambassadors to support and develop the field of nutrition, metabolism and toxicology within and outside the Netherlands. Sixteen biomedical, clinical, and behavioral-science departments are incorporated within NUTRIM.