PostDoc 'Modulation of brain ageing through nutrition and healthy lifestyle'

Highly collaborative, dedicated researcher interested in health and prevention who thrives in an ambitious, internationally oriented academic environment. Do you want to increase our knowledge in understanding how a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition can keep our brain younger and more vital? Do you want to boost future health science and more effective prevention of cognitive decline? Would you like to consolidate your scientific career in a European Network of leading research universities? If so, then you should apply for this job.

Job Description
Cognitive decline is a serious threat to health and well-being in the ageing population. Our transnational EU consortium investigates the combined effects of B-vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FA) on brain health, focusing on cognitive decline and dementia. Data from over 50,000 individuals will be used to explore the effects of habitual diet and genetic background on long-term cognitive outcomes. Additionally, a randomized controlled trial will assess the impact of joint supplementation with B-vitamins and ω-3 FA on brain atrophy in older adults. The research aims to shape new guidelines for better brain health.

Your daily workplace is the Department of Internal Medicine (research institute CARIM), in close collaboration with Alzheimer Centre Limburg (research institute MHeNS). Your work is part of the EU and NWO-funded ERA4Health-NutriBrain Consortium “B-vitamins and ω-3 fatty acids to modulate brain ageing in European citizens through improved nutrition: the BOOMERANG project” in which research groups from Norway, Ireland, Germany and The Netherlands collaborate. The Dutch part of the project is led by Dr. Marleen van Greevenbroek. You will be working in the context of The Maastricht Study and have local collaborators from various departments (epidemiologists, nutritionists, cognition experts). You will benefit from the infrastructure of the ERA4Health Early Career Network and have access to an international network of experts in nutrition and brain research.

Your Key Responsibilities include:

• The evaluation of 8 large observational European cohorts to assess the associations of B-vitamin and ω-3 FA (intake and status) with cognitive function and brain volumes.
• Assessment of interactions between B-vitamins, ω-3 FA, and genetic factors on cognitive performance and brain structure.
• Conducting cross-sectional and prospective statistical analyses including regression and meta-analyses
• Collaboration with an international research team and contribution to publications and presentations.
• Supervision of Master and Bachelor students and assisting in teaching activities

Requirements
The ideal candidate possesses strong analytical and critical thinking skills and excellent communication skills, shows willingness to work flexibly in order to achieve project demands and targets as agreed in the research team, is able to travel to workshops and has a proactive attitude towards collaborating with groups within EU, is open to feedback and responds flexibly to challenges that naturally occur during the research process.

The candidate:

• Has a PhD in in Health Sciences and/or Epidemiology and a Master of Science in Health Sciences, Nutrition, Neuropsychology, Medicine, Biology, (Bio)Statistics or a related field
• Has proven ability to conduct high-quality, independent research
• Has proven ability in observational epidemiology
• Preferably has experience in meta-analyses and genetic epidemiology.
• Preferably has knowledge of nutrition, metabolism, and/or cognition.
• Is prepared to take on challenging aims and to organize and prioritize own work
• Can organize research within the project’s timetable.

What we offer
As PostDoc 'Modulation of brain ageing through nutrition and healthy lifestyle' 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 €3378,00 and €5331,00 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 35 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE.
• 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 Dr Marleen MJ van Greevenbroek at m.vangreevenbroek@maastrichtuniversity.nl (+31 (0) 43 3882135) for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PostDoc 'Modulation of brain ageing through nutrition and healthy lifestyle'? Apply now, no later than 9 March 2025, for this position.
 

The first interviews preferably take place on 20 or 21 March. The second interviews will preferably be held on 27 or 28 March.

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.