The development of cognitive impairment and heart failure is linked to the presence of comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and aging. Decreases in capillary vessel density within a tissue, called microvascular rarefaction, is a common feature of these comorbidities. The brain and the heart are especially sensitive to rarefaction because they have high oxygen demands. The overall aim of CRUCIAL is to identify novel non-invasive biomarkers for rarefaction and to identify targets to prevent rarefaction because we propose that targeting the microvasculature rather than the brain and heart themselves could prevent disease progression.

The main purpose of the proposed PhD project is to study the impact of combined vascular risk factors on brain microvasculature, cerebral blood flow and cognition with the aim to identify and validate key molecular players initiating microvascular rarefaction. The project involves a broad spectrum of methodologies including advanced 3D histology (tissue clearing and imaging with 2-photon and light sheet microscopies), cerebral blood flow measurement, animal behavioral testing, RNAseq of endothelial cells, standard molecular and biochemical assays, immunohistochemistry and confocal imaging.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Design and rigorous execution of experimental work, data analysis and dissemination of results;
• Co-supervise research interns;
• Contribute to teaching activities carried by the research group;
• Creative and independent thinker who can deepen a research question;
• Excellent communicator (oral and written) and team worker.

• A MSc degree in a biomedical related field;
• Animal certification (Dutch art 9 or FELASA C) or willing to obtain;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English;
• Experience with common laboratory assays is required;
• Experience with animal behavior and/or tissue clearing/light sheet microscopy will be a major advantage.
   

Fixed-term contract: 1 + 3 years (evaluation after first year).

What do we offer?

• An international PhD training program taught in English;
• Friendly and multi-disciplinary environment;
• State-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge research project;

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 http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees.

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 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.