Postdoctoral Researcher - Translational Genomics (Nutrigenomics)

Welcome to Maastricht University!
Are you eager to contribute to the future of precision nutrition? Do you want to uncover how diet interacts with our genes to shape health and disease?
The Department of Translational Genomics (TGX) at Maastricht University is looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Nutrigenomics who thrives at the intersection of multi-omics, systems biology, and human health.

Postdoctoral Researcher – Translational Genomics (Nutrigenomics)

Our goal: At TGX, we aim to understand how lifestyle factors such as diet interact with the genome to influence health and disease. By integrating genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics data from clinical cohorts and dietary intervention studies, we develop systems-level insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying health outcomes.
Within Nutrigenomics, our research focuses on identifying molecular signatures of beneficial health effects and the mechanisms through which nutrients influence gene regulation. Ultimately, our ambition is to accelerate personalized nutrition strategies that contribute to precision health and disease prevention.

Your colleagues: You will join the Department of Translational Genomics within NUTRIM (Research Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism) at the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences. TGX is an interdisciplinary research environment where computational scientists, molecular biologists, clinicians, and nutrition researchers collaborate closely.
You will work with multidisciplinary teams across Maastricht University, and with national and international research partners in collaborative projects addressing chronic metabolic and inflammatory diseases. 
Activities will also take place in close collaboration with Campus Venlo and partly on location.

What you will do
In this role, you investigate how gene–diet interactions influence health and disease. You apply advanced systems biology approaches, including network modelling and pathway-based analyses, to understand how dietary and environmental exposures affect molecular processes.
You contribute to research on chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and neurological disorders, with a strong focus on inter-individual variation. By integrating multi-omics datasets, you help uncover mechanisms that support innovation in precision nutrition and personalized prevention.

Your role combines research and teaching:
Research (80%)

• Develop an independent, externally fundable research line at the interface of nutrigenomics, clinical genomics, and toxicogenomics
• Design and apply bioinformatics workflows and predictive systems biology models
• Analyse multi-omics datasets from clinical cohorts and dietary intervention studies
• Contribute to national and international research collaborations
• Translate molecular insights into practical dietary and lifestyle strategies together with clinical partners

Education (20%)

• Teach in bachelor’s and master’s programmes (Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences, Systems Biology)
• Supervise BSc, MSc and PhD students
• Contribute to curriculum development in integrative omics and personalized nutrition

What you bring 
We’re not looking for checkboxes; we’re interested in who you are and what you bring. Do you recognize yourself in this?

You are an independent and motivated researcher who enjoys working in multidisciplinary teams and translating complex data into meaningful insights.
You have:

• A PhD in Nutrigenomics, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Systems Biology, or a related field
• A strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals
• Experience with human multi-omics data (e.g. RNA-seq, DNA methylation, GWAS, metabolomics, metagenomics)
• Strong programming skills in R and/or Python
• Experience analysing complex biological datasets
• A clear scientific vision on precision nutrition and integrative data approaches

Preferably, you also have:

• Experience with toxicogenomics and/or clinical genomics
• Experience in acquiring external research funding
• You also bring strong communication skills and enjoy collaborating across disciplines.

What we offer
At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer:

• A 24-month contract (0,8 - 1,0 fte). 
• A gross monthly salary between €3546,00 and €5538,00 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours.
• Flexible working hours, a home office allowance, and the option to work from home.
• Freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas.
• A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with.
• A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities.
• An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe.

About the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML)
FHML is committed to health in the broadest sense: from molecule to human, and from healthcare to prevention. We train healthcare professionals and researchers through innovative educational programmes and conduct groundbreaking research in health and well-being. As part of Maastricht UMC+ (MUMC+), our international and interdisciplinary community forms a unique collaboration between university and academic hospital, where education, research, and care come together.

Interested?
Want to know more about this position or what it’s like to work at our university? Reach out to Prof. Dr. Theo de Kok, via t.dekok@maastrichtuniversity.nl. The end date of the publication is 8 may 2026.  First interviews will take place in week 21.

Apply now via the button below by submitting the following documents:

• Your CV
• A motivation letter
• A list of publications
• A transcript of grades
• Contact details of two referees

A presentation and lab visit will be part of the second interview round. Reference checks are included in the procedure.

 We look forward to getting to know you!

About Maastricht University
At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,300 students and 5,400 employees across 5 regional locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities for yourself and the world around you. Together, we can find the answers for tomorrow.

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

At Maastricht University, we prefer to contact potential candidates directly. We therefore kindly ask that no agencies or intermediaries submit offers or approaches.

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.