Job description:

Our research at the department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences, Maastricht University, is devoted to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus, with a focus on (energy) metabolism.

Within our translational research group (www.dmrg.nl), we apply whole-body, tissue and cellular approaches to study mechanisms that lead to the development of skeletal muscle and hepatic insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. To this end, Maastricht University has unique facilities to perform human translational studies, and an unique Metabolic Research Unit, including clamp facilities, magnetic resonance spectroscopy and whole body respiration chambers. Our aim is to perform cutting-edge research in human volunteers and type 2 diabetes patients to understand the etiology of the disease and to find new treatment options for patients with diabetes.

Project description:

Our research group has made major contributions to the field by showing among others the effect of acute cold exposure on insulin sensitivity in diabetes patients (Hansen M. et al. Nat Med, 2015) and more recently that day-night shifts lead to insulin resistance (Wefers et al PNAS 2018). These studies have focused on mechanisms in muscle and liver that can explain these effects. The current project is focused on a further understanding of the role of muscle and liver metabolism in the development of type 2 diabetes. Human intervention studies, including studies with pharmaceutical drugs, will be performed to understand via which mechanisms type 2 diabetes can be prevented or treated.

We are looking for an ambitious, highly self-motivated PhD candidate with a degree in Medicine, Biomedical Sciences or Health Sciences (or equivalent), who preferably is trained in human intervention research. Having a medical degree is a pre, but also non-MD’s are encouraged to apply. The PhD candidate will be involved in small-scale human intervention trials, in which he/she will perform a thorough characterization of muscle and liver metabolism and insulin sensitivity. For this, we will make use of techniques such as indirect calorimetry, hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A strong (international) research group and -network is available to aid in the execution of the project and to receive additional training.

Fixed-term contract: 48 months.

The full-time position is offered for four years (first year + three years after receiving a positive evaluation), with yearly evaluations. The salary will be set in PhD salary scale of the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities (€2266,- gross per month in first year to €2897,- last year). On top of this, there is an 8% holiday and an 8.3% year-end allowance.

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.

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 Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

NUTRIM - School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism / Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences

Our research at the department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences, Maastricht University, is devoted to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus, with a focus on (energy) metabolism.

Our department is part of research school NUTRIM - School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism

NUTRIM aims to contribute to health maintenance and personalised medicine by unraveling lifestyle and disease-induced derangements in metabolism and by developing targeted nutritional, exercise and drug interventions.

This is facilitated by a state of the art research infrastructure and close interaction between scientists, clinicians, master and PhD students.

• 18 million euros annual budget
• annually more than 500 publications in Science Citation indexed journals
• about 395 researchers, including 245 PhD students, and 70 support staff
• continuum from fundamental to clinical and applied research
• led by Prof. Annemie Schols

https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/school-nutrition-and-translational-research-metabolism