Research Technician: Weight loss, energy metabolism and metabolic health

Welcome to Maastricht University!
Are you eager to contribute to cutting-edge laboratory-based research in the field of obesity? Then join our highly dynamic international team at the Department of Human Biology at Maastricht University! As a research technician, you will contribute to a clinical study investigating the effects of a novel obesity management drug on energy metabolism compared to similar weight loss achieved by a low-energy diet, by processing tissue biopsies and performing in vitro/ex vivo (human tissue-based) measurements related to energy metabolism and cardiometabolic health such as ex vivo mitochondrial respiration measurements in human permeabilized muscle fibers and isolated muscle mitochondria.

Research Technician – Weight loss, energy metabolism and metabolic health
 

• Our goal: The aim of this project is to determine the effect of a unimolecular GLP-1/amylin receptor agonist on energy metabolism and cardiometabolic health compared to diet-induced weight loss or placebo in adults living with obesity, and examine underlying mechanisms.
• Your colleagues: You will work in a young, international and multidisciplinary research group specialized in obesity and metabolic health, embedded within the Department of Human Biology (NUTRIM), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences at Maastricht University.
  
  

Obesity is a complex chronic disease that acts as a gateway to many noncommunicable diseases. Weight loss is the most effective strategy to improve cardiometabolic health and quality of life in people with obesity, and can prevent or reverse several obesity-related complications. During weight loss, biological changes such as metabolic adaptation (reduction in energy expenditure below predicted values) may hamper further weight loss and weight loss maintenance. The extent of such biological adaptations may depend on the way weight loss is achieved.

As a research technician, you will contribute to a human clinical trial in people living with obesity by performing and supporting in vitro/ex vivo (human tissue-based) measurements related to energy metabolism and cardiometabolic health. Our basic and translational research group (headed by Prof. G.H. Goossens and Prof. E.E. Blaak) accommodates 5 permanent scientific staff members, more than 10 PhD students and post-doctoral fellows, 2 technicians and additional support staff, and has access to state-of-the-art research facilities to perform human intervention studies, cell culture experiments, and molecular analysis. In this project, you will work closely together with a PhD student, post-doctoral fellow, two research assistants, a dietitian, and clinicians.

The Department of Human Biology is part of the Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), within the Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML) of Maastricht University. The central research theme of the Department of Human Biology is Healthy Living with Obesity, Sarcopenia, Energy metabolism and Cardiometabolic Health as spearheads. NUTRIM catalyses translational research into metabolic and chronic inflammatory disorders, and aims to contribute to health maintenance and personalized medicine by unraveling lifestyle and disease-induced derangements in metabolism, and by developing targeted nutritional, exercise and drug interventions. Within NUTRIM, approximately 400 scientists including 245 PhD students, and an additional 70 support staff members work interdisciplinary together in 16 biomedical, clinical, and behavioral-science departments. NUTRIM is partner within unique consortia in which academia, industry and the government join forces to stimulate the transfer of knowledge generated in fundamental research to Dutch industry, thereby strengthening its innovative power and competitive strength.

What you do

• Process human adipose tissue and skeletal muscle biopsies, and perform in vitro / ex vivo measurements of energy metabolism (mitochondrial oxygen consumption) according to experimental workflows.
• Ensure accurate, consistent and complete data collection and documentation.
• Maintain laboratory standards, including safety procedures and quality control (and documentation) of experimental measurements.
• Contribute to maintenance of laboratory supplies, a clean and organized workspace, and the organization of laboratory workflows within a complex clinical research setting.
• Contribute to the preparation and/or execution of other laboratory activities within our research team, including molecular analyses (i.e. qPCR, immunostaining), writing and/or updating SOPs.

Are you ready to shape the future of obesity management?  Then we’d love to meet you. 

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?

• Laboratory expertise, precision and organization – You hold a HBO/BSc or MSc degree in laboratory science (molecular biology or another relevant field), life sciences, biomedical sciences or a related field, have extensive hands-on laboratory experience, and work accurately and consistently according to protocols. Experience with tissue handling and dissection and (mitochondrial) isolation protocols, and/or high-resolution respirometry (i.e.  OROBOROS Oxygraph-2k) is highly desirable. You are well-organized and capable of managing multiple experimental tasks within a clinical research setting.
• Pro-active and quality-driven – You take initiative, are eager to learn and apply new laboratory techniques, and ensure high-quality and reliable data through careful execution and documentation of experiments.
• Collaborative mindset – You communicate clearly and work effectively within a multidisciplinary team to ensure smooth study execution.
• Affinity with translational research – You are interested in bridging laboratory work with human research, and motivated to contribute to clinically relevant scientific outcomes.
  
  

What we offer
At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. In addition to working on a challenging research project, we offer:

• A temporary 36-month contract (0.8-1.0 FTE). Employment period will be for 12-months with the perspective of prolongation after evaluation with 24-months extension.
• A gross monthly salary based on experience between € 3382,- and € 4484,- (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. Gijs Goossens at G.Goossens@maastrichtuniversity.nl.

• The end date of the publication is 30 April 2026.
• Please upload your CV, motivation letter and contact information of at least 1 referee.
• The interviews for this position will take place in May 2026.
• The preferred start date is June/July 2026.

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

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.

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.