PhD Candidate in Sex-Specific Mechanisms of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

PhD Candidate in Sex-Specific Mechanisms of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

• Our goal: At the Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), we aim to advance the understanding of how diabetes affects cardiac function at the cellular and molecular level. This PhD project focuses on identifying how adipose tissue-derived secreted factors and extracellular vesicles influence cardiomyocyte metabolism and contractility, and on validating newly identified biomarkers using human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. The project contributes to the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for diabetic cardiovascular disease.
• Your colleagues: You will be embedded within the Cardiology department at CARIM and work in a highly collaborative, international, and multidisciplinary environment. You will closely collaborate with researchers and clinicians across experimental, clinical, and computational disciplines, gaining exposure to cutting-edge cardiovascular research and advanced cellular models.

What you do
Your research focuses on understanding how adipose tissue-derived signals contribute to sex-specific differences in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Your tasks and responsibilities include:

• Investigating the effects of adipose tissue-derived secretome and extracellular vesicles on cardiomyocyte metabolism and contractility.
• Performing functional and molecular analyses using primary rodent cardiomyocytes and human stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte models.
• Performing metabolic substrate uptake assays, including glucose and fatty acid uptake measurements using radiolabeled tracers.
• Validating candidate biomarkers using approaches such as Seahorse analysis, qPCR, western blotting, and CRISPRa/i.
• Contributing to collaborative multi-omics and translational analyses across the international consortium.
• Publishing scientific papers and presenting your work at conferences.

The project includes close collaboration with partners in Oxford and Lille, with opportunities for international research visits.

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

What you bring
We’re interested in motivated researchers who are excited to work in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment.

You recognize yourself in the following:

• A Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Cardiovascular Research, (Bio)Medical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong interest in cardiovascular metabolism and molecular or cellular biology.
• Experience with cell culture, molecular biology, or physiological techniques.
• Hands-on experience with cardiomyocyte models, Seahorse assays, microscopy, western blotting, qPCR, or stem cell models is considered an advantage.
• Interest in sex differences and metabolic disease.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently within a multi-disciplinary, international team.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Administratief medewerker Maastricht Housing

Administratief medewerker Maastricht Housing

Maastricht Housing bestaat uit drie teams: front-& backoffice, technische dienst en Huurteam Zuid-Limburg.

Je gaat deel uitmaken van het Front-& Backoffice team (6 medewerkers). Samen met jouw collega’s zorg je dat alle processen van het UM Guesthouse vloeiend verlopen en werk je samen aan een goede administratieve afwikkeling voor de studenten van het UM Guesthouse.

Daarnaast heeft Maastricht Housing ook een website. Bij veranderingen van de website behoort het testen van nieuwe functionaliteiten ook tot de werkzaamheden van de functie.

Wat jij doet
Als administratief medewerker bij Maastricht Housing ben je een essentiële schakel in het huisvesten van (internationale) studenten van Universiteit Maastricht. Je werkzaamheden zijn veelzijdig en bestaan onder andere uit:

• Verwerken van reserveringen van internationale studenten voor het UM Guesthouse en zorgdragen voor een correcte administratieve afhandeling.
• Onderhouden van contacten met verhuurders en woningcorporaties.
• Monitoren, testen en optimaliseren van ons online platform. Jij weet hoe studenten zich (online) bewegen en wat wel en niet werkt.
• Je maakt makkelijk de vertaalslag tussen systemen en de doelgroep.
• Verwerken en controleren van huurbetalingen en andere financiële zaken rondom de studentenhuisvesting.
• Deelnemen aan open dagen van de UM om aankomende studenten te informeren.
• Analyseren van klantfeedback en bijdragen aan kwaliteitsverbetering.

Ben jij klaar om koers te zetten voor de komende jaren? Dan ontmoeten we je graag.

Wat jij meebrengt
Het gaat ons niet om vinkjes, maar om wie jij bent en wat jij meebrengt. Herken jij jezelf hierin?

• MBO werk- en denkniveau (of hoger)
• Ervaring met digitale tools als Word, Excel, Outlook en social media.
• Affiniteit met de doelgroep (internationale) studenten.
• Analytisch vermogen, op basis van data de vertaalslag maken naar proces- en systeemoptimalisatie.
• Stressbestendig, klantgericht en oplossingsgericht.
• Goede beheersing zowel Nederlandse als ook Engelse taal (niveau B2).
• Communicatief sterk en een echte teamspeler.

Deze functie is op locatie de Brouwersweg in Maastricht, waar ook de receptie aanwezig is. De verwachting is dus ook dat iemand op locatie aanwezig is, waarbij thuiswerken sporadisch in overleg mogelijk is.

Tijdens drukke periodes, midden augustus-begin september en eind januari-begin februari, is het alle hands on deck. Verlof opnemen in deze periodes is om die reden niet wenselijk.

Bij een part-time voorkeur verwachten wij op woensdagen en vrijdagen beschikbaarheid in verband met bezetting.

PhD Candidate: The vicious circle of protein modification-induced chronic inflammation

PhD Candidate: The vicious circle of protein modification-induced chronic inflammation

• Our goal: In this project, you will explore how post-translationally modified proteins and their antibodies contribute to chronic (low grade) inflammation and the development of cardiometabolic diseases. By studying complement activation and is association with (sub)clinical phenotypes using data from The Maastricht Study, you will help clarify their relevance in the etiology of disease.
• Your colleagues: You will be embedded in a collaborative research environment at Maastricht University, working closely with researchers within the local team. You will also collaborate with researchers and a fellow PhD candidate at Leiden University Medical Centre in the research group of Prof Dr L.T. Trouw, with regular joint meetings and exchange visits as an integral part of the PhD programme. The PhD candidate based in Leiden will focus on the experimental and translational components of the project thereby complementing the human data analyses performed in Maastricht.

Post-translationally modified proteins (PTMs) and their antibodies have been long-implicated in the etiology of auto-immune disease. Notably, PTMs and anti-PTMS are also found in other non-communicable diseases, but their pathophysiological relevance needs to be firmly established.

In this PhD project, you will explore how activation of the complement system by PTMs contributes to systemic low-grade inflammation and to the development of cardiometabolic diseases. The complement system is part of our innate immune defence against infections and can trigger inflammation. You will use data and biobanked samples of The Maastricht Study (www.themaastrichtstudy.nl), a large and deeply-phenotyped observational cohort, as well as interventions cohorts.

You will design and perform assays to measure several post-translationally modified proteins (PTMs) such as malondialdehyde-acetaldehyde adducted proteins, advanced glycation endproducts, and carbamylated proteins and their antibodies in this cohort. You will combine these data with the available in-depth (pre)clinical phenotypes to address the contribution PTM-activated complement activation contributes to the development of cardiometabolic diseases.

What you do
As a PhD candidate you will:

• Design and perform in ELISA-based measurements of PTMs, anti-PTMs and complement in human samples (observation and interventional).
• Perform data-analyses to relate these data to clinical outcomes.
• Perform cluster analyses to uncover underlying (patho)physiological phenotypes.
• Collaborate with the LUMC-team to integrate the human findings and preclinical experimental data.
• Publish your results, present at international conferences, and contribute to departmental teaching activities.

Are you eager to uncover how ubiquitous protein modifications, via complement activation and proinflammatory effects, form a shared root cause in the etiology of cardiometabolic and autoimmune diseases? 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?

You are interested in interdisciplinary research that explores the full translational axis, this is your place to be. Our ideal candidate holds accuracy and precision in high regards, possesses strong analytical and critical thinking skills and excellent communication skills. Collaboration, good time management and organizational skills are vital for properly balancing a PhD project. Additionally, adaptability and a proactive learning attitude are key to successfully completing a PhD track.

Furthermore, you bring:

• MSc in Biomedical Sciences, Epidemiology, Medicine, Biology, Health Sciences, or a related field.
• Good laboratory skills, preferably including experience with analytical laboratory assays such as ELISA.
• Experience and affinity with statistical analyses in large datasets (regression, mediation, moderation).
• Experience in working in interdisciplinary teams or a strong desire to do so.
• Excellent Proficiency in scientific English (speaking, reading, and writing), at C1 level or higher.
• Proficiency in use SPSS and/or R or willingness to learn.
• A keen and demonstratable interest in the etiology behind the development of cardiovascular diseases and related comorbidities.

PhD Candidate: From Good Intentions to Real Impact - Can AI Support Sustainable Consumer Choices?

PhD Candidate: From Good Intentions to Real Impact - Can AI Support Sustainable Consumer Choices?

• Our goal: to investigate whether conversational AI can help consumers make choices that better align with their long-term environmental goals. More broadly, you will explore how digital technologies can support self-regulation, decision-making, and sustainable behavior.
• Your colleagues: you will be jointly embedded in the Department of Marketing & Supply Chain Management (MSCM) at the School of Business and Economics and the Maastricht Sustainability Institute (MSI), with a primary affiliation in MSCM and an active role in MSI's research community.

MSCM is a vibrant and international group of researchers dedicated to high-quality research and education with a strong commitment to societal impact. Research within MSCM spans topics such as consumer behavior, digital marketing, service innovation, supply chain management, data analytics, and sustainable business.

MSI is an inter and transdisciplinary institute focused on sustainability challenges and societal transitions. MSI researchers operate within the complexity of the social-environmental-economic systems in which sustainability challenges exist and aim to combine academic excellence with real-world relevance. MSI research addresses sustainability issues in a broad sense in food systems, cities and circular economy from different disciplines to develop innovative solutions.

This dual embedding reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the project and ensures that the PhD candidate is fully integrated into both research environments. Together, MSCM and MSI provide a unique interdisciplinary environment for studying how emerging technologies can contribute to more sustainable consumer behavior.

You will be supervised by Dr. Kelly Geyskens (MSCM) and Dr. Joana Wensing (MSI).
You will work closely with your supervisors as part of a collaborative research team while gradually developing into an independent researcher. The position combines conceptual development, qualitative research, experimental design, data collection, and advanced data analysis. Through your involvement in both MSCM and MSI, you will benefit from complementary expertise in consumer behavior and sustainability.

The Project
This PhD project addresses one of the key challenges in sustainability research: many consumers want to act sustainably but often struggle to turn these intentions into everyday behavior. At the same time, conversational AI tools are becoming part of daily life and increasingly influence how people search for information, make decisions, and solve problems.

In this project, you will investigate whether conversational AI can help consumers make choices that better align with their long-term environmental goals. More broadly, you will explore how digital technologies can support self-regulation, decision-making, and sustainable behavior.

The project combines insights from consumer behavior, sustainability, psychology, and human–technology interaction. Using a combination of literature reviews, qualitative research, and behavioral experiments, you will contribute to a rapidly growing research area with both scientific and societal relevance.

This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of consumer behavior, sustainability, and technological innovation while being part of two internationally recognized research communities.

What you do
As a PhD candidate, you will:

• Develop research questions and hypotheses based on existing scientific literature.
• Design and conduct a multi-method research program combining literature reviews, qualitative research, and behavioral experiments.
• Collect, manage, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data.
• Ensure the transparency and reproducibility of research processes and analyses.
• Write research papers for submission to international academic journals.
• Present your work at international conferences and research seminars.
• Participate in doctoral training, coursework, and professional development activities.
• Contribute to teaching and student supervision within both departments.

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? 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?

Given the interdisciplinary and methodologically diverse nature of this project, you are able to work independently while also collaborating effectively in an international research environment. You bring excellent collaboration and communication skills, allowing you to engage constructively with diverse perspectives, work effectively in teams, and demonstrate openness and resilience. You are adaptable, proactive, and comfortable navigating complexity. You think beyond conventional approaches, demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset, and are not afraid to critically question assumptions. You consider teaching a way to broaden your skill set and knowledge.

Furthermore, you bring:

• A completed Master's degree in Psychology, Behavioral Economics, Marketing, Sustainability, Management, Data Science, or a related field before September 2026.
• A strong and demonstratable interest in consumer behavior, sustainability, and behavioral research.
• Solid quantitative and methodological skills, including experience with research methods and statistics.
• Excellent proficiency in English, both verbally and written.

PhD Candidate Translational local drug delivery

PhD Candidate Translational local drug delivery

• Our goal: Local controlled drug release by degradable biomaterials holds great promise as safe and effective tool to treat local disease, as compared to systemic administration commonly inducing side effects. However, the discrepancy between in vitro release of newly developed formulations and actual release in the body has been a major barrier. A recently granted ZonMW project aims to develop algorithms that can be used to design local drug release formulations matching the desired in vivo release profile.
• Your colleagues: Your work will be intimately intertwined with the machine learning modelling of the consortium members of the Computing Sciences department, and the Pharmaceutical Sciences department in Utrecht, in which latter you will learn to prepare the drug release formulations to be tested in the project. At Maastricht University, you will be embedded in the Experimental Pain Medicine group of the department of Anesthesiology and the Mental Health and Neurosciences research institute of Division 3.

Your role will be to generate large datasets on release profiles for different formulations to feed the developing machine learning models. Most data will be generated hight throughput in vitro, but a subset of formulations will also be tested in vivo in a rodent models, where you will apply advanced imaging technologies and intrathecal sampling to follow drug release and to determine fluid exchange rates in the intrathecal space, which will serve as model release location.

What you do
In this role, your key activities will include:

• Production of microsphere-drug combinations and initial characterisation (DLS, Z potential, buffer release profiles etc.);
• Release profile generation in predefined complex media using in vivo molecular components of the extracellular fluid (In vivo Near Infrared Imaging, Spectrofluoroscopy, ELISA, UPLC);
• MRI intrathecal contrast imaging in a rat model (at UMCU high field facility);
• Intrathecal injection, microdialysis and serum sampling for systemic pharmacokinetics, perfusion fixation in rats;
• Histology for drug location.

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? 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?

We are looking for a strong team player who can work independently when needed, with a keen learning attitude and a passion for science.

Furthermore, you bring:

• A Master’s degree in Pharmacology or Biomedical Sciences
• Experience with, or a demonstrated interest in, drug delivery
• Experience with, or a demonstrated interest in, translational interdisciplinary research
• FELASA accreditation (art 9), because of the intended animal experiments