PhD Positions - 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.

• 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.

Three PhD positions are 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 projects will commence in 2026, are 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 1 (Promotor: Dr. Heidi Noels, Dpt Biochemistry, CARIM)

Lipids and cardiovascular risk.
This project focuses on investigating the relationship between lipids and cardiovascular risk, particularly how dysregulated lipid profiles and metabolism contribute to inflammation and cardiovascular risk. Using a combination of patient and animal model studies, cellular and molecular studies in vitro, as well as bioinformatics analyses, we aim to identify molecular mechanisms by which lipid mediators influence thromboinflammatory processes and cardiovascular risk. This could lead to new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for reducing cardiovascular risk by modulating lipid-related pathophysiological processes.

Doctoral project 2 (Promotor: Prof. Dr. Joachim Jankowski, Dpt Pathology, CARIM)

Lipidomic analyses by high-resolution mass-spectrometry and MALDI imaging to identify, quantify and localize novel regulators of pathological processes underlying cardiovascular diseases.
This project focuses on investigating lipid changes associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its common comorbidities, such as chronic kidney disease and diabetes, by analyzing patient plasma and tissue samples. The work aims to identify lipid-based biomarkers that could improve diagnosis, risk prediction, and understanding of disease mechanisms using advanced mass spectrometry methods and data integration techniques. The findings are expected to support patient stratification and therapy guidance, with an emphasis on collaborative validation and clinical application in future studies. The project blends expertise in lipidomics, molecular analysis, and clinical research to advance cardiovascular health.

Doctoral project 3 (Promotor: Prof. Dr. Maarten Honing, Dr. Birol Cabukusta, M4I, Nutrim)

Developing advanced lipidomics toolboxes to study complex biological systems.
This project focuses on designing and developing innovative experimental workflows that enable detailed characterization of complex lipid composition of biological systems. By integrating (bio)chemical enrichment and state-of-the-art lipidomics tools, the project aims to expand the limits of current lipidomics capabilities and improve the spatial and structural resolution in lipid profiling. The work involves optimizing and establishing sample preparation strategies for mass spectrometry, and implementing methodologies to improve structural elucidation. The expected outcomes include standardized quantitative methods that enable monitoring the structural and spatial diversity of lipids from various biological samples.

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

• Hold an MSc in Biology, Biomedicine, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or related natural sciences (before 01-09-2026).
• Are highly motivated, independent, and collaborative.
• Have an interest in cardiovascular research.
• Communicate fluently in English, both written and spoken.

Additional requirements by project:

• Project 1: Experience or interest in cell culture, cellular-molecular biology, patient studies, or animal models.
• Projects 2 & 3: Experience or interest in mass spectrometry and lipidomics.

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 with your preferred project indicated. 

Review of applications will start as soon as applications are received and will continue until the position has been filled (First candidate screen starting February 1st 2026). 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.