Assistant Professor of Psychopharmacology

Welcome to Maastricht University!
Are you passionate about understanding how biological processes influence the brain, behaviour and mental health? As an Assistant Professor of Psychopharmacology, you will combine innovative research with inspiring teaching, while helping shape the future of biological psychology and psychopharmacology. Bring your expertise to Maastricht University and help develop new insights into the prevention and treatment of cognitive-emotional symptoms and disorders. 

Assistant Professor of Psychopharmacology 

Our goal: At the Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, we aim to understand and improve the treatment of cognitive-emotional symptoms and disorders, including stress-related conditions, depression, cognitive decline, sleep disorders and perceptual-motor problems. 

Our research explores the role of central and peripheral biochemical processes, hormonal mechanisms and psychoactive substances, including medication, drugs, nutrition and supplements. 

We are looking for a colleague who will strengthen our research through expertise in at least one of the following areas: 

• The gut-brain axis, including the microbiome and psychobiotics. 
• Female hormones and their influence on brain function, mood and mental health. 
• The influence of nutrition on cognition and emotion, including nutraceuticals, supplements, prebiotics and probiotics. 

Your colleagues: You will join the Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology within the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience (FPN). You will work in a multidisciplinary academic environment where research, education and societal application are closely connected. 

As a colleague, you will contribute to existing research lines while bringing your own expertise and ideas to the team. You enjoy collaborating with colleagues, sharing knowledge and helping create an inspiring environment for students and researchers. 

What you do 
You will divide your time equally between teaching and research, combining your academic expertise with the opportunity to develop your own research profile. 

Teaching 

You will contribute to the development and delivery of bachelor’s and master’s courses in neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. Initially, your main focus will be on the bachelor’s programme. 

Your responsibilities include: 

• Teaching and developing courses in neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. 
• Supervising bachelor’s theses and mentoring students. 
• Explaining scientific insights, theories and models in a clear and accessible way. 
• Guiding students in conducting research and writing their theses. 
• Contributing to educational innovation, with a focus on competency development, feedback, mentorship, programme-based assessment and Problem-Based Learning (PBL). 
• Integrating theory and practice to support students’ academic and professional development. 
• Over time, you will also expand your teaching activities across bachelor’s and master’s programmes in neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. 

Research 

You will develop a distinctive research profile in biological psychology or psychopharmacology, building on your expertise and contributing to the department’s strategic development. 

Your responsibilities include: 

• Conducting high-quality research into biological processes underlying cognition, emotion and behaviour. 
• Strengthening and developing research into at least one of our focus areas: the gut-brain axis, female hormones or nutrition and its effects on the brain and behaviour. 
• Exploring innovative research directions, including psychobiotics, hormonal mechanisms and nutraceuticals in relation to stress-related cognitive and affective symptoms and disorders. 
• Developing your own research line and contributing to the department’s existing research strengths. 
• Pursuing external research funding opportunities, including grants from NWO and European funding programmes. 
• Sharing scientific insights with colleagues, students and wider society. 

Are you ready to strengthen our research and inspire the next generation of students? We look forward to meeting you. 

What you bring  
It's not about ticking every box. We value your scientific expertise, curiosity and ambition to develop innovative research. Do you recognise yourself in this profile? 

You bring: 

• A relevant PhD: A doctoral degree in neuropsychology, biological psychology, psychiatry or a comparable field. 
• Research experience: At least two years of postdoctoral research experience or a demonstrable independent research line. 
• A strong publication record: Publications in the field of the gut-brain axis, female hormones and/or nutrition in relation to the brain and behaviour. 
• Teaching expertise: Extensive experience with and enthusiasm for teaching undergraduate courses, with the ability to contribute to graduate-level teaching in neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. 
• Research ambition: The ability and motivation to further develop your research profile, acquire external funding and contribute to the department’s strategic development. 
• Collaboration and communication: Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team. 
• Language skills: Excellent command of English. Knowledge of Dutch is an advantage. 
• Experience with Problem-Based Learning and supervising bachelor’s and master’s theses is an advantage. You have a Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO) or are willing to obtain one in the foreseeable future. 

Your expertise will complement and strengthen our existing research lines, while helping us explore new scientific opportunities. 

What we offer 
At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer:

• For internal candidates a 12-month and for external candidates an 18 month contract (1,0  fte) with the prospect of a permanent contract based on mutual satisfaction.
• A gross monthly salary between €4925,00 and €6682,00 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours.
• Flexible working hours, a home office allowance, and the option to work from home.
• Freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas.
• A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with.
• A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities.
• An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe.

About the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience (FPN)
At FPN, we share a curiosity about the human brain and behaviour. Together with our students, we explore how our brains function and learn why we do what we do. We connect perspectives and contribute to living together in society.

Interested?

About Maastricht University 
At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,300 students and 5,400 employees across 5 regional locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities for yourself and the world around you. Together, we can find the answers for tomorrow.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

At Maastricht University, we prefer to contact potential candidates directly. We therefore kindly ask that no agencies or intermediaries submit offers or approaches.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.