Phd candidate: mass spectrometry imaging of lung cancer for a digital pathology platform

Are you excited about the intersection of molecular imaging, data science, and precision medicine? Would you like to contribute to groundbreaking cancer research in an international, interdisciplinary team? Maastricht University invites applications for a fully funded PhD position within the Interreg DigiPathConnect project—an ambitious collaboration that brings together mass spectrometry imaging, spatial metabolomics, and digital pathology.

You will conduct research within the Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging Institute (M4I), one of Europe’s leading centers for molecular imaging. Here, you will apply advanced mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) technologies to map the metabolic landscape of lung cancer tissues, and work with partners across disciplines and borders to translate these findings into clinical tools that enhance patient care.

Project overview
This PhD project focuses on the integration of spatial metabolomics data into a next-generation digital pathology platform that supports clinicians and pathologists in making informed treatment decisions for lung cancer patients.

Your core responsibilities will include:

• Performing mass spectrometry imaging on a curated cohort of lung cancer patient samples.
• Extracting spatially resolved molecular data to reveal tumor heterogeneity, metabolic patterns, and immune microenvironment characteristics.
• Collaborating with clinicians, bioinformaticians, and platform developers to embed predictive models and visual analytics into a clinical workflow.
• Contributing to an open, validated system that supports patient stratification and personalized therapies.

Your work will take place in the context of DigiPathConnect, a cross-border research and innovation consortium involving universities, hospitals, and biotech companies from Germany (NRW), Belgium (Flanders & East Belgium) and the Netherlands (Limburg). You’ll work closely with stakeholders from academia, industry and healthcare, with regular project meetings, training events and scientific exchanges across the Euregio Meuse-Rhine.

Your role in this project
As a PhD candidate, you will be expected to:

• Conduct mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) experiments using state-of-the-art instrumentation (e.g., MALDI-MSI, DESI-MSI).
• Analyze high-dimensional datasets to develop predictive models of disease progression and treatment outcomes.
• Develop workflows in collaboration with software engineers and data analysts to integrate findings into the digital pathology platform.
• Collaborate with pathologists to evaluate model outputs and ensure clinical relevance.
• Present your findings at international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Contribute to the educational mission of Maastricht University by supervising student projects or assisting in relevant courses

What you bring
We are looking for a highly motivated, solution-oriented researcher who enjoys working across disciplinary boundaries. You should have:

• A Master’s degree (MSc or equivalent) in molecular biology, biomedical sciences, chemistry, or a related life science or analytical field.
• Proven experience with mass spectrometry (preferably imaging-based techniques such as MALDI or DESI).
• Familiarity with omics datasets, biological image analysis, or histological data interpretation.
• Strong analytical skills and a passion for working with complex, multidimensional datasets.
• Interest in translational research and the integration of wet-lab findings into clinical tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Scientific curiosity, attention to detail, and a proactive attitude,
• A commitment to open, transparent, and responsible research practices.

Experience with programming (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB), machine learning, or clinical datasets is a plus but not required.

What we offer
As a PhD Candidate at the 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 according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary from €2901,00 in the first year and €3707,00 gross per month  in the fourth year (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.

Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging institute (M4i)
Launched in 2015, the Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging institute (M4i) is Europe’s leading and most modern mass spectrometry imaging laboratory equipped with state-of-the-art imaging instrumentation ranging from brightfield, over molecular imaging to electron microscopy. The institute harbors four synergistic research lines (instrumentation development, clinical application, imaging bioinformatics, and analytics) that will guarantee best practice in all aspects of the project. The institute is an interfaculty institute located between the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences. The latter provides closeness to clinical collaborators from the Departments of Pathology and Surgery from the Maastricht University Medical Center which allows direct translation to a clinical context and the input of relevant knowledge to clinically oriented projects.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Benjamin Balluff at b.balluff@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information. 

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD Candidate? Apply now, no later than 7 August 2025, for this position.

If you are interested in this position, please submit the following documents:

• A cover letter outlining your motivation and relevant background;
• Your curriculum vitae (CV);
• Contact details of two referees who can provide a reference.

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.