PhD position 'Reset aged vascular function'

Would you like to work at one of Europe’s most prestigious cardiovascular research institutes with a diverse and interdisciplinary research community? Apply now for a PhD-student position at CARIM Maastricht.

 

Job Description
The aim of this position is to attract an enthusiastic young researcher to work towards a PhD in a project on mesenchymal cell transcriptome and metabolism in vascular ageing. We look forward to welcoming a new colleague with a healthy research ambition within our cardiovascular research institute.

CARIM is one of the eight research institutes of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML) of Maastricht University (UM). It is embedded in the Maastricht University Medical Center+ (Maastricht UMC+). Located in the heart of Europe, UM holds the distinction of being the most internationally diverse university in the Netherlands with more than half of our students and academic staff coming from abroad. In total, UM represents 100 different nationalities. The UM culture thrives due to its collaborative approach, fostering continuous interaction between staff, students, and researchers, yielding a dynamic environment that thrives on embracing novel challenges. This approach creates a stimulating and innovating workspace that is at the forefront of cardiovascular innovation. At CARIM, basic mechanisms as well as early diagnosis and individual risk stratification of cardiovascular disease are studied, allowing faster translation of new research concepts to clinical practice. Our pursuit is to enhance early recognition and prevention of cardiovascular disease, advance therapeutic options, and provide impactful and inspiring mentorship to nurture the growth of young talent and staff in their scientific careers. We value open communication and an inclusive working environment and actively implement our academic recognition & awards program.

You will be embedded in the group of Prof. Sluimer, embedded in the Pathology department and CARIM, which studies the role immune and mesenchymal cells in vascular pathologies, such as atherosclerosis and vascular ageing (http://www.pathologie.mumc.nl/medewerkers/sluimer) The PhDstudent project centres on ageing of the vasculature and is supported by an NWO VICI grant. Vascular ageing, for which there is no treatment, accelerates cardiovascular disease. Until now research and therapies have only focussed on the inner layers of the vasculature to delay vascular ageing. However, the first signs of ageing occur in the perivascular layer. This project aims to adapt the function of cells in the perivascular layer to delay vascular ageing by analysing human and murine cells and arteries and animal models to create a cross-species multi-omics RNA and metabolic atlas. Gene leads that change with ageing will be interrogated with functional and metabolism assays and gain/loss of function studies. We expect this study will yield new treatment options for vascular ageing and delay cardiovascular disease.

Requirements

• You are excited to work in an international project team to collaborate, and perform experiments with cells, tissues and/or animal models;
• You have a MSc in Biology, Health Sciences or Medicine with an interest in cardiovascular research.
• Affinity with one or more of the relevant topics (i.e. mesenchymal cell transcriptome and metabolism in vascular ageing)
• You like to communicate results and ideas to peers and to a larger audience;
• You are enthusiastic to learn, adapt, and be receptive to feedback.
• Individuals with prior experience in cell culture and/or small animal models, and/or experience with bioinformatics (R, Seurat) are encouraged to apply.
• You have a curious nature, international orientation, and excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

What we offer
As PhD position 'Reset aged vascular function' at Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale P according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €2901,00 and €3707,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 3 years will follow. 
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model. 
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. 
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'. 
   

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
Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

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.


Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Judith Sluimer at judith.sluimer@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD position 'Reset aged vascular function'? Apply now, no later than June 22, 2025 for this position.
Please upload your CV, motivation letter, and potential reference letters. 

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

You will be informed within 4 weeks after this deadline whether you are invited for an interview including a short presentation of your prior work.

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.