Project Manager Molecular Cartilage Biology
Welcome to Maastricht University!
Are you passionate about transforming biomedical research and making a real-world impact on patient lives? Do you want to play a key role in advancing human-based alternatives to animal models in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis research? Join the future of Osteoarthritis as our new project manager!
At the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Maastricht University, we are driven by one mission: to improve mobility and quality of life through innovative clinical care, research, and education.
The Molecular Cartilage Biology research group (Lead: Prof. Dr. Tim Welting) at the Laboratory for Experimental Orthopedics pushes boundaries in disease modeling, biomolecular therapies, and patient-specific diagnostics for osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent and disabling chronic conditions worldwide. Yet, due to the poor predictive power of traditional animal models, no effective drug treatment currently exists.
That is why we are proud to be part of the CPBT (Centrum voor Proefdiervrije Biomedische Translatie) – a national initiative funded by the Nationaal Groeifonds (NGF) – focused on replacing animal testing with innovative, human-based lab models.
Within CPBT, our Osteoarthritis/Rheumatoid Arthritis Transition Project, led by Prof. Dr. Tim Welting, brings together top-tier academic institutions (Maastricht University, Utrecht University, UMC Utrecht) and industry partners to revolutionize preclinical research in musculoskeletal disease.
Your role
We are looking for a driven and organized Project Manager with a PhD in biomedical or life sciences. You will play a pivotal role in coordinating this ambitious project, helping to shift the paradigm in translational orthopedic research.
Key responsibilities
- Support and advise the project lead (Prof. Welting) in managing the project’s strategic goals
- Maintain strong communication and collaboration among academic and industry partners
- Prepare and manage reports, monitor milestones, and track project progress
- Maintain budget oversight and support financial reporting
- Gain sufficient scientific understanding of the project to contribute meaningfully to strategy and reporting
- (Preferred optional) Contribute to focused laboratory-based post-doc level research in molecular cartilage biology
What you bring
- PhD in biomedical or life sciences (required)
- Demonstrated project management experience (preferred)
- Strong organizational and communication skills
- Ability to translate complex scientific content into actionable plans
- Interest in contributing to scientific innovation in human disease modelling
- Contribute to focused laboratory-based post-doc level research in molecular cartilage biology
What we offer
As a project Manager 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:
- A dynamic and collaborative research environment
- The opportunity to drive impactful, real-world biomedical innovation
- Possibility to combine project management with post-doc lab research
- Involvement in a nationally recognized, transformative initiative
- A competitive salary and benefits package according to University standards The position is graded in scale 11 according to UFO profile Researcher , with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €4.537 to € 6.209 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 0,8 - 1,0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation and sufficient financial resources, an extension will follow.
- 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.
CAPHRI – Care and Public Health Research Institute
CAPHRI works towards better health for everyone through innovative solutions for healthcare and public health care. CAPHRI builds bridges between science and society by conducting research with an inclusive and participatory approach. The research focuses on prevention and innovation ranging from public - and primary health care, to person-oriented long-term care.
Our research has a strong multidisciplinary approach with attention to local, regional and global themes embedded in six research lines: Ageing and Long-Term Care, Creating Value-Based Health Care, Functioning, Participation and Rehabilitation, Health Inequities and Societal Participation, Optimising Patient Care; and Promoting Health and Personalised Care.
Working at CAPHRI means being engaged in an active and inspiring academic setting and making a real contribution to the improvement of care and public health. CAPHRI attracts top scientists from around the world and is known for its comprehensive PhD training programme for young talented scientists.
Click here for more information about CAPHRI.
Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Prof. Dr. T. Welting at t.welting@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.
Applying?
Apply now, no later than August 24, 2025, and become part of a team that’s shaping the future of arthritis research – with fewer animals, more human relevance, and greater impact.
Please upload your CV, motivation letter, contact information of 2 referees and publication list.
The first interviews preferably take place in week 35 (August 25-29, 2025). The second interviews preferably take place in week 36 (September 1-5, 2025).
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.