Patients with diabetes are known to have stiffer arteries compared to healthy people. These stiffer arteries drive hypertensive cardiovascular complications. Mechanistic basis of increased arterial stiffness in diabetes has not been established yet. The aim of this project is to gain insight in the biomechanics of increased arterial stiffness in patients with diabetes.

Elevated blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes result in an increase of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). These AGEs appear to accumulate in the artery wall, changing wall composition and properties. The interrelationships between micro-architectural composition and properties and the structure-function at the macroscopic level are yet unknown, hampering development of new treatment approaches to ‘de-stiffen’ arteries.

The project will involve (1) setting up a methodology to image and characterise mouse carotid arteries at micro-macro scales, (2) developing an experimental and data processing protocol, and (3) apply these in intervention studies in mouse AGE models. To translate experimental findings and insights, results will be evaluated using comparative human data on AGE biomarkers and ultrasonic carotid artery measurements as available in the Maastricht Study. The PhD project is highly translationally oriented and will deliver innovative methodologies and novel scientific insights, which will boost further developments and research into better treatment of arterial stiffening.

Master biomedical science/biomedical engineering. Clear and concrete affinity/experience with experimental research and/or biomedical imaging & -analysis. MatLab programming skills are welcome, but not a strict requirement. The PhD-position offers a dynamic and challenging multi-disciplinary environment, with expert supervision and high-tech infrastructure, in a lively top-quality research institute. We are looking for someone with a proactive work attitude towards setting-up and applying new methodologies and matching communicative skills to co-manage/co-lead project progress within the project team. Are you up for it?

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Temporary employment for 4 years.

Your salary would be € 2.222,- gross per month in the first year up to € 2.840,- gross per month in the fourth year according to the PhD-student 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 www.maastrichtuniversity.nl , Support/UM employees/Employment conditions.

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 16,300 students and 4,300 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 Humanities and Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

CARIM

The Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), School for Cardiovascular Diseases, is one of the top institutes for translational cardiovascular research in Europe. It is among the world leaders in the fields of research into vascular and thrombotic disorders and atrial fibrillation as well as translational heart failure research. It has also made important international contributions to molecular imaging in the cardiovascular field.

With an annual budget of approximately 22 mln Euros in 2017, CARIM is one of the largest cardiovascular research institutes in Europe, producing more than 500 scientific articles and approximately 40 PhD dissertations per year. CARIM employs 250 researchers from 13 disciplines, about 100 PhD students and 40 technical and support staff members.

Over the last ten years, CARIM papers have been published in high-impact journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, Nature Medicine, Nature Cell Biology, Cell Metabolism, Journal of Experimental Medicine, Circulation, Lancet Neurology, and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Bibliometric analyses illustrate that CARIM publications have been cited 1.97 times more often than the world average for the cardiovascular field in the period of 2009 until 2012.

CARIM is recognized by the KNAW as a research school and as an international training site for Early Stage Researchers in the framework of the Marie Curie Program.

Cardiovascular scientists from around the world join CARIM because it values open communication, close cooperation, high ambitions, good facilities and a critical learning environment.

https://www.carimmaastricht.nl/?culture=en-GB