PhD Candidate in Cancer Research

Welcome to Maastricht University!

Are you driven to make an impact in cancer research while developing yourself as an independent scientist? Join an international and collaborative environment where curiosity, ownership, and meaningful impact come together.

PhD Candidate in Cancer Research

• Our goal: to develop innovative therapeutic strategies in cancer and translate scientific insights into clinical impact.
• Your colleagues: an interdisciplinary team within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), working closely with academic and clinical partners.

Cancer research asks for people who combine scientific curiosity with a clear sense of purpose. In this PhD position, you contribute to a project that connects fundamental insights to questions that matter in practice. You work in a setting where education, research, and care strengthen each other, and where your development as a researcher is taken seriously.

You take ownership of your project from day to day, while receiving guidance from experienced supervisors. You design and carry out research activities, analyse data, and translate findings into clear conclusions. You also share results within the team and contribute to the wider progress of the project.

You work closely with colleagues from different disciplines and build connections between academic and clinical perspectives. That makes this role both intellectually stimulating and highly collaborative. Step by step, you grow into an independent researcher who contributes to new knowledge and meaningful impact in cancer research.

What you do

• Design and carry out research activities within the project.
• Analyse data and translate results into clear and well-founded conclusions.
• Work closely with colleagues across disciplines and with academic and clinical partners.
• Contribute to meetings, publications, and presentations within the research team.

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?

• Curious and proactive – You enjoy exploring new questions, take ownership of your work, and keep moving forward.
• Analytical and accurate – You work carefully, interpret data with a critical eye, and communicate your conclusions clearly.
• Collaborative by nature – You like working in an interdisciplinary environment and value open exchange with colleagues and partners.
• Resilient and adaptable – You stay motivated when research takes unexpected turns and know how to adjust your approach.
• Academically well prepared – You hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field and have a strong interest in cancer research.

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

• A 4-year PhD position (1.0 FTE), starting with a 12-month contract and a 3-year extension based on performance and mutual satisfaction.
• A salary in line with the Dutch university CAO for PhD candidates, plus 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off, 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.
• Training and development opportunities to support your growth as a researcher and professional.
• 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, access to various university sports facilities, and 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? Reach out to Petra van der Molen-Baar at petra.vandermolen@maastrichtuniversity.nl

The end date of the publication is the 30th of April 2026.

Please upload your CV and 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.