PhD Position - Lipids and Cardiovascular Risk (LipidBRIGHT Doctoral Network)

Welcome to Maastricht University!
Are you fascinated by how lipids shape cardiovascular health? Step into the world of lipid research with the European doctoral network LipidBRIGHT to uncover how lipid signaling and metabolism drive disease—and innovate future therapies.

PhD Position – Lipids and Cardiovascular Risk (LipidBRIGHT Doctoral Network)

• Our goal: To train the next generation of scientists who bridge basic, clinical, and translational lipid research to combat cardiovascular disease and related disorders.
• Your colleagues: You will join a multidisciplinary team of researchers, clinicians, and PhD students within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML) and across the LipidBRIGHT consortium, which includes leading European universities, research institutes, SMEs, and industry partners.

A PhD position is available at the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, within the EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network LipidBRIGHT. The 36-month project will commence in 2026, is hosted by Maastricht University and will be performed in collaboration with the 7 other European partners of the LipidBRIGHT consortium.

The LipidBRIGHT Consortium
Lipids are of vital importance through integration in cell membranes, as energy source and in cellular signaling and function. As such, they also play decisive roles in cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, cancer and chronic inflammatory disease. These diseases affect 33%, 60%, 10% and 33% of Europeans, and are responsible for >60% of global deaths.
The European Doctoral Network LipidBRIGHT combines scientists, clinicians, companies and stakeholder organisations with expertise in these disease fields. By integrating expertise in lipids from the clinical, biomedical, technological and data science field across disease borders and by transferring complementary knowledge and technology, LipidBRIGHT aims to speed up innovations towards improved disease prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and therapy.

LipidBRIGHT will train scientists in a close cooperation between academia, SMEs and industry partners. Key objectives are to provide: 1) Excellent scientific training on interdisciplinary level, covering lipid biochemistry and pathophysiology as well as clinical application; 2) Excellent complementary skills in personal and career development as well as business training required to extend beyond scientific research; and 3) Exposure to both academic and non- academic environments, required to build bridges between researchers and entrepreneurs and support the future translation of research findings in innovative products and services.

LipidBRIGHT builds on available patient cohorts, advanced technologies and established cooperations and strives to synergistically improve structural training on European level. LipidBRIGHT will nurture the development of young, broadly-trained scientists able to successfully bridge clinical with basic research as well as academia and industry, which is a cornerstone in effectively combatting complex diseases as cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, cancer and chronic inflammatory disease.

Contributing partners in LipidBRIGHT: Universiteit Maastricht (NL), Catholic University Leuven (BE), University Hasselt (BE), University Hospital Jena (DE), INSERM (FR), University Utrecht (NL), SciCross (SE), RD –Néphrologie SAS (FR), University of Bern (CH).

For more information: https://www.cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101225380

Doctoral project (Promotors: Prof. Dr. Joachim Jankowski, Dr. Heidi Noels, Prof. Dr. Leon Schurgers, CARIM)

Identification of novel regulators of pathological processes underlying cardiorenal disease and comorbidity crosstalk
This project focuses on pathological processes associated with cardiorenal disease and its common comorbidities, such as diabetes and periodontal inflammation. The work aims to study novel disease mechanisms and disease mediator candidates to improve the understanding of comorbidity development and crosstalk, and identify biomarkers that could improve diagnosis and risk prediction. Methods that will be used include a wide range of cellular and molecular methods, with a strong focus on the use of stem cells. We will also use mass spectrometry and MALDI imaging for the identification and characterization of disease mediators and biomarkers. The findings are expected to support patient stratification and therapy guidance. The project blends expertise in molecular and cellular analyses to advance cardiorenal health and reduce comorbidity burden.

Foreseen project start: 01.10.2026

What you bring
We are looking for ambitious, dedicated, and precise individuals who:

• Hold an MSc in Regenerative Medicine, Biomedicine, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biology, or related natural sciences (before 01-10-2026).
• Are highly motivated, independent, and collaborative.
• Have an interest in cardiovascular and cardiorenal research, inflammation and disease crosstalk.
• Have experience in cell culture (preferentially stem cells such as iPSCs), cellular and molecular biology, and interest to learn mass spectrometry.

Eligibility
Applicants must comply with EU Doctoral Network mobility rules: doctoral candidates may not have resided or carried out their main activity in the recruiting country for more than 12 months in the 3 years preceding recruitment. Candidates of any nationality are eligible.

What we offer
As a PhD student at Maastricht University, you will receive:

• A 3-year, full-time (1.0 FTE) contract with an evaluation after the first 12 months.
• 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.
• Intensive guidance and structured training across the LipidBRIGHT consortium.
• Flexible working hours and hybrid work options, including commuting and internet allowance.
• 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays, plus up to 12 additional compensation days.
• Excellent secondary employment benefits, including ABP pension, company fitness, and access to sports facilities.
• Opportunities for personal and professional development through UM training programs and initiatives.

About Maastricht University
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future: the future of our students and society. With over 22,300 students and 5,000 staff across 6 faculties, UM provides an international and inspiring environment. Our Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method ensures students develop critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

About FHML
The Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences focuses on prevention, health preservation, and promotion, integrating education, research, and care in close collaboration with Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+). FHML offers innovative bachelor’s and master’s programs and cutting-edge research in clinically relevant areas.

Interested?
For more information, contact Dr. Heidi Noels (Heidi.noels@maastrichtuniversity.nl).

To apply, submit your CV, motivation letter, and reference letter. 

The application deadline is 31 July 2026. 

Review of applications will start as soon as applications are received and will continue until the position has been filled (First candidate screen three weeks after vacancy publication). Promising candidates will be contacted by email.

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.