Model Steward for the VHP4Safety project

Welcome to Maastricht University

At Maastricht University’s Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), we connect cutting-edge biomedical research with real-world impact. In this role, you will contribute to the Virtual Human Platform for Safety (VHP4Safety)—a national initiative aimed at advancing risk assessment through smart, transparent, and FAIR model integration. You will work on the frontier of digital health research, helping to build a future where innovative products and safety go hand in hand.

Your colleagues

You will be part of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at FHML and collaborate closely with data stewards, modellers, and toxicologists across the national VHP4Safety consortium. Within Maastricht University, you’ll work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment that combines biomedical sciences, digital health innovation, and societal impact.

You’ll also contribute to a growing network of international partners—including developers of FAIRdom, RO-Crates, BioModels, and the ELIXIR platform.

About the position

As Model Steward, you will help structure and integrate mathematical models used in toxicology and health risk assessment. These include, for example, models for Quantitative Structure Activity Relations (QSAR), Physiologically Based Kinetic (PBPK) models, and quantitative Adverse Outcome Pathways (qAOPs). Your goal is to make these models FAIR: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.

You will:

• Collaborate with modelling experts across the project to prepare their models for reuse—clearly separating inputs, computations, outcomes, and documentation.
• Organise these model components using Research Object Crates (RO-Crates) to make modelling experiments reproducible and transparent.
• Align your work closely with the project’s data steward and coordinate joint model-data integration using platforms such as FAIRdom/SEEK.
• Experiment with submission of structured models to public repositories, such as BioModels, and contribute to the establishment of best practices.

Once the core integration framework is in place, you will explore more advanced applications such as:

• Improving model structure using AI-driven or traditional tools (e.g. better naming, modular code, documentation).
• Translating models between programming languages (R, Python, Matlab) and SBML (Systems Biology Modelling Language).
• Enabling bidirectional translation: from SBML into user-preferred languages, and vice versa.
• Extracting mathematical components in LaTeX for transparent scientific communication.

This role is ideal for a candidate with a systems-thinking mindset, strong digital skills, and a passion for FAIR science. You’ll work closely with the ELIXIR interoperability platform and other European infrastructures.

What you bring

We are looking for a technically skilled, proactive researcher with a collaborative mindset. You understand both the opportunities and the practical challenges of model integration and open science in the life sciences domain.

You also bring:

• A master’s degree or PhD in a relevant field (e.g. bioinformatics, toxicology, systems biology, data science).
• Demonstrated experience with mathematical modelling (e.g. PBPK, QSAR) and FAIR/Open Science practices.
• Proficiency with scientific programming languages (e.g. Python, R, Matlab) and data standards (e.g. JSON, SBML).
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills to liaise effectively with modellers, data stewards, and external partners.
• Familiarity with legal and ethical aspects of data sharing (e.g. GDPR, copyright).
• A strong interest in reproducibility and the future of digital research.

What we offer
As a postdoc at the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 10 according to UFO profile Researcher, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €3378,00 and €6209,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1.0 FTE.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model. 
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. 
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'. 
   

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM. 

Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
At the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), everything revolves around healthy living. Our research and education are not solely focused on recovery, but place a strong emphasis on prevention, health preservation, and health promotion. Our aim is to use our knowledge and expertise to genuinely contribute to the well-being of individual people as well as society in total. 

In, research, and healthcare, FHML is closely collaborating with the academic hospital in Maastricht, together forming the Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+).  FHML is strongly connected in education, research, and care with the Maastricht academic hospital, together with which it forms the Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+). 

FHML, which is the largest faculty of Maastricht University, is formed by an (inter)national community of employees and students. The faculty offers a wide range of Dutch and English-taught bachelor's and master's programs in innovative educational concepts in which the emphasis is always on building bridges to practice.
 

The multidisciplinary research of the FHML focuses on a number of carefully chosen topical current themes. In addition to research aimed at gaining new insights, it also concerns research whose results can be directly translated into concrete applications and innovations. The implementation of the various research programs is organized in our six graduate schools and two institutes.

 
Department

The Translational Genomics (TGX) group at Maastricht University focuses on understanding the toxicological and molecular basis of complex diseases, including cancer, metabolic disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions. Led by Prof. Dr. Theo de Kok, TGX employs cutting-edge omics technologies, cellular models, and advanced data analysis to improve disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Our research centres around patient-derived models, personalised approaches, and innovative strategies, such as nutritional interventions and gene editing. With a strong emphasis on translational impact, TGX aims to advance human health and environmental safety while contributing to the reduction of animal testing in biomedical research.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Chris Evelo at c.graus@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information. 

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Model Steward for the VHP4Safety project? Apply now, no later than 31 August 2025, for this position.

Please upload your CV, motivation letter, grade list, and publication list. Contact information of 2 referees is welcome.

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

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.