Postdoctoral researcher: Building a Disease Map to study the role of neuroinflammation in Post-COVID

Join an interdisciplinary, multi-center project team studying neuroinflammation in post-COVID! Build a computational disease map and use imaging and molecular data to reveal critical disease mechanisms.

Job Description
We are seeking a motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our interdisciplinary, multi-center team to investigate the role of neuroinflammation in post-COVID conditions, contributing to a broader disease understanding. The project aims to map the mechanisms by which neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier disruption, and disruption of the brain’s control over immune, autonomic, and endocrine functions contribute to symptoms observed in post-COVID patients.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will take a leading role in the integrative systems biology work package. Your responsibilities will include building a multi-scale computational disease map to detail interactions and molecular pathways between the involved systems. You will apply advanced pathway- and network-based analyses, utilizing data from diverse sources to develop and refine the disease map. This resource aims to identify biomarker signatures that can guide diagnosis, stratify patients, and potentially inform targeted therapies.

You will collaborate closely with an interdisciplinary team at multiple universities and medical centres in the Netherlands. Your work will include synthesizing existing literature and data, building a disease map, analysing experimental data, and presenting and publishing your research findings. We also expect a readiness to take on educational duties within the department.

Responsibilities and tasks

• Develop a computational post-COVID Disease Map including molecular pathway curation, mechanistic models and network inference.
• Perform integrative data analysis using pathway and network-based approaches.
• Present findings at (inter)national conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team of computational biologists, experts in neuroimaging, molecular biologists, clinicians, and patient representatives.
• Contribution to grant writing activities.
• Taking on educational roles at Maastricht University.

Requirements
We are looking for a candidate with strong analytical abilities, problem-solving skills, and a collaborative mindset. The ideal candidate should be able to work independently, manage complex data, and communicate effectively within an interdisciplinary team. Candidates should be committed to scientific integrity and open, transparent research practices. Our ideal candidate has:

• A PhD in systems biology, neuroscience, molecular biology, immunology, bioinformatics, or a related field.
• Proficiency in the English language.
• Experience with computational modelling, pathway analysis, or network-based analysis is a plus.
• Proficiency in relevant programming languages (e.g., R or Python).
• Experience working with molecular or omics data, particularly in immunology or neurobiology.
• Publication record demonstrating expertise in a relevant research area.
   

What we offer
As a Postdoctoral researcher at Faculty of Science & Engineering, 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 11 according to UFO profile Researcher 3, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €4537,00 and €6209,00 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 24 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 Science and Engineering  
At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development.  FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention.  The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS).  At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore e exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!  
 

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses  
Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, the home of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregion, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.  
 

Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology (MaCSBio) 
Launched in 2015, the Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology (MaCSBio) aims to develop a set of computational and mathematical models and methods that will advance our understanding of biological systems, and predict the progression and treatment of complex diseases over time.
MaCSBio strives to perform innovative research in the interdisciplinary field of Systems Biology to create a “Digital Twin”, a set of computational and mathematical models based on biological evidence that will help to understand and predict biological systems. Research projects at MaCSBio focus on modelling across multiple scales of time and space, tackling areas that are highly relevant for society: systems biomedicine, computational neuroscience and plant biology. 

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Martina Summer-Kutmon at martina.kutmon@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Postdoctoral researcher? Apply now, no later than 22 November, for this position.
 

Please upload your CV, motivation letter and contact information of 2 referees.

The first interviews preferably take place on the 26th or 27th of November.

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.