PhD Candidate 'Nutrition for brain and peripheral cardiovascular health'

Welcome to Maastricht University!
The Physiology of Human Nutrition (PHuN) research group within the Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences (Maastricht University) is looking for a PhD Candidate (1.0 fte) focusing on the effects of regular Avocado intake on central and peripheral metabolic and cardiovascular health.

PhD Candidate 'Nutrition for brain and peripheral cardiovascular health'

• Our goal: ‘Nutrition for brain and peripheral cardiovascular health’ A balance in energy intake and expenditure is considered the cornerstone of the prevention of obesity and associated metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.  The successful PhD Candidate will focus on well-controlled human intervention studies involving prediabetic adults with overweight or obesity to establish relevant relationships along the gut-brain axis for metabolic and cardiovascular health. For this, state-of-the-art brain imaging, blood-based parameters, and psychobehavioral assessments are important. Emphasis will be on effects of longer-term avocado consumption on brain and peripheral health parameters relevant to both, metabolic and cardiovascular health.
• Your colleagues: We offer a challenging research project integrated within an excellent scientific environment that offers facilities to perform state-of-the art multi-disciplinary research, including a unique Metabolic Research Unit (MRUM) and brain imaging facilities (Scannexus Imaging Center). All studies will be performed in a team setting and in collaboration with different experts at the Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM) in the Netherlands.

What you do 

The PhD Candidate will be:

• involved in planning and conducting human intervention studies
• analyzing and interpreting the obtained data
• reporting research results and publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you. 

What you bring 
We’re not looking for checkboxes; we’re interested in who you are and what you bring. Do you recognize yourself in this?

• Master degree in biomedical sciences, medicine, (medical) biology, health sciences, physiology, neurosciences or nutrition 
• Experience with human studies, brain imaging and statistical methodology is an advantage 
• Experience with data analysis (e.g., using SPM or R) and programming skills (Matlab, Python) is an advantage but not a requirement. 
• A real researcher’s mentality: open-minded, curious, creative, enthusiastic, motivated, persevering, and accurate 
• Excellent spoken and written English 

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

• A 12-month contract (1,0 FTE) with the prospect of a 3 year extension.
• A gross monthly salary between €3.059 and €3.881 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus. 
• 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 Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML)
FHML is committed to health in the broadest sense: from molecule to human, and from healthcare to prevention. We train healthcare professionals and researchers through innovative educational programmes and conduct groundbreaking research in health and well-being. As part of Maastricht UMC+ (MUMC+), our international and interdisciplinary community forms a unique collaboration between university and academic hospital, where education, research, and care come together.

Interested?
Want to know more about this position or what it’s like to work at our university? Contact Tanja Adams at t.adam@maastrichtuniversity.nl.

 
The end date of the publication is 27th of February 2026.

Required documents to upload are your CV and a motivation letter.

Apply now via the button below. We look forward to getting to know you!

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.