PhD Candidate in Cardiovascular Aging: The Methylglyoxal Pathway in Cardiac Function and Metabolism

Welcome to Maastricht University!
The world is changing fast, and we’re changing with it. At Maastricht University, your work makes a real difference – whether you’re exploring the future through research, inspiring students in the classroom, or helping to shape everything that makes our education and research possible.

PhD Candidate in Cardiovascular Aging: The Methylglyoxal Pathway in Cardiac Function and Metabolism

• Our goal: Understand how the reactive metabolite methylglyoxal reshapes the aging heart – and uncover new ways to protect cardiac function across the lifespan.
• Your colleagues: An interdisciplinary team of biomedical scientists and clinicians at the Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), one of Europe’s leading institutes for cardiovascular research, uniting expertise from the Departments of Internal Medicine and Cardiology.

About the position

In this PhD project, you will explore how the reactive metabolite methylglyoxal (MGO) drives cardiovascular aging and alters cardiac metabolism and performance. Working across in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro systems, you will integrate advanced cardiac imaging, metabolic flux analysis, and biochemical profiling to connect molecular damage to organ-level outcomes.

Your research will clarify how dicarbonyl and AGE (advanced glycation end-product) stress contribute to age-related changes in cardiac structure and metabolism and identify potential nutritional or pharmacological strategies to counteract these effects. This project offers a unique opportunity to bridge metabolism, aging biology, and cardiovascular medicine in a highly collaborative, translational research setting.

You will be supervised by Prof. Casper Schalkwijk (promotor), Dr. Philippe Vangrieken (co-promotor), and Dr. Miranda Nabben (co-promotor) within the Departments of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, and work closely with multidisciplinary teams at CARIM.

In this role, you will:

• Design and perform in vivo cardiac imaging (e.g. echocardiography) and metabolic assessments (e.g. tracer-based glucose uptake, insulin sensitivity).
• Conduct ex vivo analyses of myocardial metabolism, including mitochondrial respiration and glycolytic capacity.
• Execute in vitro studies in cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells (e.g. GLO1 modulation, pharmacological quenchers).
• Profile dicarbonyls and AGEs (e.g. MG-H1, CEL, CML) in plasma, urine, and tissues using UPLC–MS/MS.
• Manage and phenotype mouse models of obesity, diabetes, and aging.
• Analyse, integrate, and interpret multimodal datasets with transparent and reproducible workflows.
• Publish your results, present at international conferences, and contribute to departmental teaching activities.

Are you ready to help uncover how a single metabolite can reshape the aging heart? Then we’d love to meet you.

What you bring

It’s not about ticking boxes – it’s about your scientific curiosity, precision, and drive to create impact. Do you recognise yourself in this?

• Scientifically grounded. You hold a Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Physiology, Pharmacology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.
• Hands-on researcher. You have experience with experimental work in biomedical or cardiovascular research.
• Technically skilled. You are familiar with metabolic assays and imaging techniques such as echocardiography or tracer-based studies.
• Analytical and detail-oriented. You can work with quantitative data and statistical tools (e.g. R, Python, GraphPad).
• Eager to learn. You’re motivated to master mass spectrometry-based metabolomics (UPLC–MS/MS).
• Collaborative by nature. You thrive in an international, multidisciplinary research environment.
• Communicative. You express your ideas clearly in English, both orally and in writing.
• Ethical and responsible. You work safely in the lab and comply with all institutional and Dutch research regulations.

What we offer

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

• A 12-month contract with the prospect of a three-year extension upon positive evaluation.
• A gross monthly salary between €3,059.00 and €3,881.00 (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), plus four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day).
• The option to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours.
• Flexible working hours and the option to work partly from home, with commuting and internet allowances.
• A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness options, and access to extensive UM sports facilities.
• A supportive academic community where your ideas and growth matter.
• An inspiring work environment at the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, located in the heart of Maastricht.

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.

About CARIM and the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML)

CARIM, the Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, is one of Europe’s largest and most distinguished cardiovascular research institutes. We integrate molecular, clinical, and translational research to improve understanding and treatment of heart and vascular disease.

At FHML, everything revolves around healthy living – from prevention and health promotion to care and cure. In education, research, and healthcare, FHML works closely with the academic hospital in Maastricht (MUMC+), combining scientific discovery with social impact.

About Maastricht University

At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,000 students and 5,000 employees across five regional locations, six faculties, and more than seventy research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities – for yourself and for the world around you. Because real answers are found together.

Curious?
Would you like to know more about this position? Please contact Dr. Philippe Vangrieken via p.vangrieken@maastrichtuniversity.nl 

Interested?

Apply now – no later than 17 November 2025 – by submitting a single PDF containing your motivation letter, curriculum vitae, grade list, and contact details of two referees.

We look forward to getting to know you!

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.