Post-docs on data science in personalized nutrition

Welcome to Maastricht University!
At Maastricht University Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo, we are looking for two enthusiastic postdoctoral researchers to expand and strengthen research on “Personalised healthy diets through data sciences and artificial intelligence”. Are you excited about the opportunities that data science in nutrition—especially the role of targeted metabolic modelling, machine learning and AI offer in developing effective personalized nutrition interventions? Are you interested in deepening yourself in dietary patterns uncovering what works, for whom, and under which circumstances by analyzing diverse data streams? Do you want to contribute to the development of innovative smart wearables and apps in personalised nutrition and adapting lifestyle advices through dynamic data collection of these smart devices? And does working in an interdisciplinary team focused on healthy and sustainable nutrition within the context of the whole food chain appeal to you? Then these positions at Maastricht University Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo might be just for you!

We offer challenging Post-doc positions and we ask for highly motivated candidates with a strong background, interest, and affinity for academic research in the area of nutrition and data science and health to further strengthen our research group.

Post-docs on data science in personalized nutrition

• Our goal: To develop personalized healthy diets through data science and AI – advancing health promotion while keeping sustainability at the heart of nutrition research. 
• Your colleagues: You will be based at Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo (BCGV) and collaborate closely with Maastricht University and NUTRIM, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism. You will join an international, interdisciplinary team that bridges nutrition, health sciences, data science, and sustainable food systems. 

What you do
For our research line Sustainable Nutrition we are looking for post-doc candidates for 4 y positions. In these roles, you will work at Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo (BCGV). There will be a close collaboration with Maastricht University, NUTRIM, Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism.

For one post-doc with a strong background in nutrition, we ask:

• Strong knowledge in nutrition and metabolism
• Holistic view on health and sustainability aspects of nutrition
• Interest in personalised nutrition, including metabolic, socioeconomic and psycho-social determinants of efficacy and adherence to dietary intervention
• Interest in or affinity with data sciences

For one post-doc with a strong background in data sciences we ask:

• Insights in the most suitable data science techniques (e.g., machine learning, cluster analysis) to answer specific research questions based on available data as a basis for the execution of the dietary intervention trials
• Ability to apply machine learning, statistical techniques, and AI to analyze data, predict response to diet, and identify signatures determining response to diet.
• A strong foundation or affinity with statistical modeling, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights

What we offer
As Post-doc 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 10 according to UFO profile Researcher, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €3546,00 and €5538,00 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. A future assistant professor position is a possibility. 
• 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.

Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo

Current discussions about food are dominated by healthy and safe food, future farming and the bio-circular economy.

Innovate entrepreneurs, large enterprises, start-ups, scientists and students work together at Brightlands Campus Greenport on innovations for healthy and safe food, the farming of the future and the bio-circular economy. There are also many crossovers with the manufacturing industry, information and communication technology, logistics and the other three Brightlands campuses.

In a chain of laboratories that have been specially constructed to mimic and analyse each step, the journey of food through the body is monitored to determine the impact of food and products on health. This ranges from studies exploring the ways in which we experience taste, scent, or texture to simulations of metabolic processes.

Innovations in the future farming and the bio-circular economy are resulting in higher nutritional values and yields. This means that healthier and safer products can be produced and that we can get the most out of our food.

For further information about Brightlands and the facilities on the campus visit: https://www.brightlands.com/en/brightlands-campus-greenport-venlo/facilities-agri-food-innovation

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Prof E. Blaak, Dept of Human Biology, Maastricht University, e.blaak@maastrichtuniversity.nl or Prof D. Jonkers, NUTRIM, Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, d.jonkers@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Postdoc? Apply now, no later than 12 October, for this position.
 

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.