The RACE-V network brings together researchers from Groningen, Maastricht and Leiden. Together, we are investigating how AF affects coagulation factors both in the blood and in atrial tissue and how these factors in turn alter the atrial tissue and lead to progression of AF.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice. The risk of AF increases with age, and because the general population is ageing, the number of AF patients is expected to increase substantially in the coming decades. One of the most harmful consequences of AF is the formation of emboli that can lead to debilitating and life-threatening strokes. It is generally accepted that AF leads to changes in blood coagulation. However, we have recently demonstrated that alterations in coagulation factors can also contribute to the progression of AF. This bidirectional interaction between AF and coagulation is the main theme of the national network RACE-V ('Reappraisal of Atrial Fibrillation: Interaction between hyperCoagulability, Electrical remodeling, and Vascular Destabilization in the Progression of AF', www.race-v.org), funded by the Dutch Heart Foundation. In this team, investigators from several disciplines, both basic scientists and clinicians, and various universities (Maastricht, Groningen and Leiden) collaborate. Our AF research group is part of CARIM, the CArdiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (www.carimmaastricht.nl). In this PhD project, the interaction between AF and coagulation will be studied in animal models of paroxysmal AF (i.e. intermittent episodes of AF) and heart failure. The disease mechanisms identified in these models can then be studied in atrial biopsies and blood samples collected in AF patients.

MSc in Medicine,  (Medical) Biology, or a related discipline. Experience in electrophysiology or animal models are advantageous.

Fixed-term contract: 1 + 3 years.

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 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