Postdoctoral Researcher: the role of stress in recovery after mild traumatic brain injur

Welcome to Maastricht University!
Do you want to contribute to innovative research in neuropsychology? Are you passionate about understanding the role of stress in recovery after mild traumatic brain injury? Then we would like to meet you.

Postdoctoral Researcher: the role of stress in recovery after mild traumatic brain injury.

• Our goal: In this research project, you will investigate the role of stress in the recovery from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Although most individuals are expected to recover fully, approximately one in four experience persistent post-concussion symptoms that can interfere with daily functioning, including returning to work. Neurobiological factors, such as initial injury severity, alone cannot fully explain the persistence of these symptoms. Instead, biopsychosocial models suggest that stress may play a critical role.
• Your colleagues: The Neuropsychology section’s research focuses on the complex yet fascinating relationships between the brain and behavior. We have various research lines that address biological, physiological, affective, and psychosocial aspects in a life span perspective, as well as congenital and acquired neurological issues.

You will work in a challenging academic position within a dynamic and multidisciplinary research team. Together with your colleagues you will have the opportunity to play a role in innovation in research in neuropsychology. On top of that you will work in an inspiring working environment at Maastricht University, where education and research are closely connected to societal impact.

What you do

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will design and implement an experimental study investigating stress responses in individuals with and without persistent symptoms following injury, as well as in healthy control participants. You will employ a standardized stress induction paradigm to assess both objective measures (e.g., cortisol levels) and subjective measures (e.g., self-report questionnaires) of stress.

You will take a leading role in all phases of the project, including the preparation and submission of ethics applications, the coordination and execution of data collection, and the management and analysis of this complex dataset. You will be responsible for interpreting findings within a biopsychosocial framework and disseminating results through high-quality peer-reviewed publications. In addition, you will supervise and mentor internship students contributing to the project, supporting their involvement in data collection and related research activities.

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you.

What you bring

It’s not about ticking boxes – it’s about who you are and what you bring. Do you recognise yourself in this profile?

• Strong academic foundation – You hold a PhD in neuropsychology or a related field that aligns well with the focus of this project.
• Experienced researcher – You bring solid experience in designing and conducting experimental research in neuropsychology.
• Affinity with patient-oriented research – You are motivated to work with patient populations and value the impact of research on clinical contexts.
• Interest in stress research – Experience in stress-related research is a plus and sparks your curiosity.
• Analytically strong – You have well-developed skills in data analysis and enjoy working with complex datasets.
• Well-organised and reliable – You combine excellent organisational skills with a structured and careful way of working.
• Clear communicator – You communicate effectively with colleagues, students, and partners, both verbally and in writing.
• Collaborative team player – You enjoy working together in a team and contribute constructively to a supportive research environment.
• Comfortable in an international setting – You are proficient in English; knowledge of Dutch is an advantage.
• Academic mindset – You demonstrate academic-level thinking and working, with a reflective and critical approach to research.

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

• An 18-month contract (0.6 FTE) for the duration of the project.
• A gross monthly salary between € 3546,- and € 5538,- (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 Psychology and Neuroscience (FPN)
At FPN, we share a curiosity about the human brain and behaviour. Together with our students, we explore how our brains function and learn why we do what we do. We connect perspectives and contribute to living together in society.

Interested?
Want to know more about this position or what it’s like to work at our university? Reach out to Caroline van Heugten at c.vanheugten@maastrichtuniversity.nl or Conny Quaedflieg at conny.quaedflieg@maastrichtuniversity.nl. The end date of the publication is May 25 2026. 

Apply now via the button below. 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.

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.