PhD in Cardiovascular Data Science & Hemodynamic Monitoring in the ICU

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

PhD in Cardiovascular Data & Hemodynamic Monitoring in the ICU

• Our goal: Gaining new insights and improve prognostication in critically ill patients by integrating cardiovascular risk factors into existing ICU prediction models. by combining cutting-edge data science with advanced clinical expertise and imaging technologies.
• Your colleagues: A dynamic, interdisciplinary team of intensivists, clinical technologists, PhD candidates, and researchers working at the Intensive Care Unit of Maastricht UMC+

In this PhD project, you will:

- investigate cardiovascular function and risk factors in critically ill patients using electrocardiograms (ECGs) and computed tomography (CT) data from a very large (> 20,000 ICU admissions) high-quality ICU data set. 
- work with a large cardiovascular ICU database, containing over 20,000 ECGs and CT scans and use advanced data-driven methods, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to improve outcome prediction and patient stratification.
- deepen our understanding of the etiology, clustering, and diagnostics of cardiovascular diseases in critically ill patients.

Are you ready to combine medicine, technology, and data science to make a difference in intensive care medicine? Then we’d love to meet you.

What you bring
It’s not about ticking boxes – it’s about your curiosity, motivation, and skills. Do you recognize yourself in this?

• A medical profile with a strong interest in technology and data or a technical profile with a background in medicine.
• Analytical and resilient: you are comfortable handling complex data and working in a demanding environment.
• Experience with statistical software (preferably R. MATLAB, Python)
• Strong interest in cardiovascular physiology, hemodynamic monitoring, and imaging (ECG, CT, echocardiography).
• Affinity with critical care and working with vulnerable patient populations.
• Team spirit: you enjoy working with intensivists, fellows, and other PhD candidates with backgrounds in data science, epidemiology and medicine in a collaborative research setting.
• Excellent communication skills in English (Dutch is a plus).

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 (full PhD trajectory).
• A gross monthly salary between €3059,00 and €3881,00 (based on full-time, 38 hours per week).
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), plus four additional days off and the option to build up extra days.
• Flexible working hours.
• Freedom to develop your research independently within a supportive team.
• A strong academic and clinical community to collaborate with.
• A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness, and access to university sports facilities.
• An inspiring environment in the heart of Europe. 

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.

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 5 locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes in the Euregio. Here you are encouraged to push boundaries and discover new opportunities – for yourself and for the world around you. Together, we can find the answers for tomorrow.
Click here for more information about UM. 

Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
At the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), everything revolves around healthy living. Our research and education are not solely focused on recovery, but place a strong emphasis on prevention, health preservation, and health promotion. Our aim is to use our knowledge and expertise to genuinely contribute to the well-being of individual people as well as society in total. 

In, research, and healthcare, FHML is closely collaborating with the academic hospital in Maastricht, together forming the Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+).  FHML is strongly connected in education, research, and care with the Maastricht academic hospital, together with which it forms the Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+). 

FHML, which is the largest faculty of Maastricht University, is formed by an (inter)national community of employees and students. The faculty offers a wide range of Dutch and English-taught bachelor's and master's programs in innovative educational concepts in which the emphasis is always on building bridges to practice.
 

The multidisciplinary research of the FHML focuses on a number of carefully chosen topical current themes. In addition to research aimed at gaining new insights, it also concerns research whose results can be directly translated into concrete applications and innovations. The implementation of the various research programs is organized in our six graduate schools and two institutes.

 
About the Intensive Care Unit, Maastricht UMC+
The Intensive Care Unit at Maastricht UMC+ is a leading academic ICU with a strong focus on innovation, data-driven care, and patient outcomes. Our research integrates clinical expertise with advanced data analysis and imaging, aiming to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of critically ill patients.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Please contact Dr. Rob Driessen, intensivist-cardiologist, via  rob.driessen@mumc.nl for more information. 

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD Candidate? Apply now, no later than 26 October 2026, for this position.

Please click on 'apply now' to register and upload your CV, university transcripts, and a motivation letter outlining your motivations for applying for this position and including the contact details of two referees we may approach.

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.