We are recruiting a PhD student to study the development and transmission of antimicrobial resistance in nosocomial pathogens. This project will delve into how bacteria acquire resistance, where in the (hospital) environment these resistant bacteria reside and how the resistance spreads to other bacteria. The PhD project will combine both state-of-the-art molecular technology such as next generation sequencing, with the latest in culturing techniques to study the transmission of resistance. The project is in close collaboration with researchers from Zuyderland Medical centre, the Intensive Care department within the MUMC and is part of one of the main research lines of the Medical Microbiology department. The collaboration within and outside the department provides a stimulating environment with interaction with fellow PhD students and other researchers and complements some of the more fundamental aspects of the project with opportunities for direct application of the findings in clinical practice or for intervention studies. The project is embedded in the research school CAPHRI, allowing you to follow courses and trainings and to present your work in a transdisciplinary setting. Finally, as part of the PhD project you will participate in all other aspects of an academic workplace, such as teaching and presenting your work at (inter)national conferences.

We are looking for a talented and ambitious PhD candidate with initiative, motivation and endurance. You are keen to invest in the growth of both yourself and our team. You should have:

• a MSc degree (or equivalent) in a relevant Life Science discipline: (medical) biology, microbiology, biomedical sciences.
• Strong interest in microbiology and antimicrobial resistance.
• Interest in developing innovative methods to study microbial interaction (both molecular methods as well as culture-based techniques).
• You are interested in both fundamental and applied research.
• Previous experience with bacterial culturing and/ or sequencing is an advantage.
• Previous experience with statistics and modeling is an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills in English, communication skills in Dutch are an advantage.

Temporary employment for 4 years. The first year will be a probation period, after a positive assessment the position will be extended for another 3 years, which happens in the vast majority of cases.

Your salary would be € 2,541 gross per month in the first year up to € 3,247 gross per month in the fourth year according to the PhD-candidate salary scale. An 8% holiday and an 8.3% year-end allowance is also provided. In addition to good primary employment conditions, UM also offers an attractive package of secondary employment conditions.
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 > 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.

School CAPHRI - Department of Medical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Infection Prevention

CAPHRI – Care and Public Health Research Institute
CAPHRI works towards better health for everyone through innovative solutions for healthcare and public health care. CAPHRI builds bridges between science and society by conducting research with an inclusive and participatory approach. The research focuses on prevention and innovation ranging from public - and primary health care, to person-oriented long-term care.
Our research has a strong multidisciplinary approach with attention to local, regional and global themes embedded in six research lines: Ageing and Long-Term Care, Creating Value-Based Health Care, Functioning, Participation and Rehabilitation, Health Inequities and Societal Participation, Optimising Patient Care; and Promoting Health and Personalised Care.
Working at CAPHRI means being engaged in an active and inspiring academic setting and making a real contribution to the improvement of care and public health. CAPHRI attracts top scientists from around the world and is known for its comprehensive PhD training programme for young talented scientists.
www.caphri.nl (hyperlink: https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/care-and-public-health-research-institute

Department of Medical Micribiology
The Department of Medical Microbiology has a strong focus on clinical diagnostics and scientific research in the fields of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), antimicrobial resistance, molecular typing and the human microbiome. You will be part of the AMR/ typing group, an international group of PI’s, post-doctoral fellows, PhD students and research technicians.
Our research group has strong links with clinical departments within the Maastricht UMC+ as well as many (inter)national collaborations with academic and industrial partners. The lab has the largest typing facility in Limburg and has access to all state-of-the-art technology and expertise needed for both diagnostics and research, such as highly automated sample testing, real-time PCR as well as molecular typing and next-generation sequencing facilities and bioinformatics support.