During the course of this PhD research project, novel genetic and neurophysiological tools will be combined with cutting-edge live cell microscopy techniques to study the role of enteric glial cells in enteric neuron connectivity. You will make use of in vivo models to investigate how enteric glial cells adapt to safeguard gastrointestinal function and homeostasis. You will run a research project in an international multidisciplinary lab and collaborate with (inter)national research groups to complement the know-how within our research group with state-of-the-art external expertise. You will be involved in the guidance of master students, writing of papers and grant applications. You will participate in team meetings to update your research results, and in scientific seminars and conferences.

This PhD position is part of a NWO-funded Vidi project, entitled “Glia of the bowel, landscapers in the second brain” that was recently awarded to Dr. Werend Boesmans.

You have a MSc degree in biomedical sciences, bio-engineering, biology, biochemistry or medicine. You have good communication skills in spoken and written English and are motivated to work in a team. You have a hands on attitude and you are skilled to perform competitive research in an international context. Experience in molecular biology, microscopy, neuroscience and/or physiology is an advantage

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Remuneration will be according to standard salary levels for PhD students starting with a salary of € 2.325,- with a yearly growth to € 2.972,- gross a month in year 4 (based on a full-time appointment.)

Each year the standard salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

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 https://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 18,000 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.

GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology

The School for Oncology & Developmental Biology (GROW) focuses on research and teaching of genetic and cellular mechanisms, as well as environmental and life-style factors that underlie normal (embryonic and fetal) and abnormal (cancer) development. The emphasis is on basic and translational research, aiming at innovative approaches for individualizing prevention, patient diagnosis, and treatment for genetically determined diseases and cancer.

https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/school-oncology-and-developmental-biology