At Alzheimer Center Limburg we are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate who is eager to make impact by contributing to the early detection and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

Job Description
Advancements in diagnostic approaches and treatment now provide opportunities for secondary prevention of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The European AD–RIDDLE project is an interdisciplinary consortium with 24 partners that is funded by the EU Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) public-private partnership and aims to develop tools for earlier detection and accurate diagnosis; test novel digital cognitive and blood-based biomarkers; and improve access to individualized preventative interventions (including multimodal interventions and symptomatic/disease-modifying therapies).

As part of the AD-RIDDLE project, the PhD candidate will develop predictive algorithms for a stepwise screening process to improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. Novel blood biomarkers, lifestyle-related measures, medical history, cognitive markers and genetic markers will be used to predict cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and neuroimaging (MRI and PET) markers as indicators of AD pathology, disease staging and progression, and/or disease subtypes.
The PhD candidate in Maastricht will also focus on promoting data exchange, sharing and integration between project partners. Data will initially include many types, scales, veracity, semantics, and structures, and must serve many needs, at different times, across the project. Data processing (harmonization, transformation, filtering, quality improvement, privacy enhancement, etc.) will be performed by the PhD candidate to meet project needs.

Setting
This 4-year project will take place at the Mental Health and Neuroscience Research Institute (MHeNs) at Maastricht University, the Alzheimer Center Limburg and the Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology at the Maastricht University Medical Center.

Tasks

• Analyses of associations between plasma, CSF and PET AD biomarkers, lifestyle and genetic factors and cognitive outcomes;
• Data harmonization and coordination of international data collection;
• International collaboration and communication with project partners;
• Presentation of findings in a thesis, scientific publications and at (inter)national conferences;
• Active participation in scientific online and on-site meetings;
• Optional: contribute to clinical data collection at the Maastricht memory clinic (only for Dutch-speaking candidates);
• Teaching and supervision of Master students.

Requirements
For this project, we are looking for a highly motivated, flexible and open-minded candidate with:

• An M.Sc./MD in neuropsychology, health sciences, medicine, biomedical sciences or related fields;
• Affinity with working with large datasets;
• Strong communicative, analytical and statistical skills;
• Clinical experience is considered a pro.

What we offer
As a PhD candidate at the 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:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary from €2770,00 in the first year and €3539,00 gross per month in the fourth year (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 1.0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 3 years 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.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Dr. Willemijn Jansen (willemijn.jansen@maastrichtuniversity.nl), Dr. Stephanie Vos (s.vos@maastrichtuniversity.nl) or Prof. dr. Pieter Jelle Visser (pj.visser@maastrichtuniversity.nl) for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD candidate? Apply now, no later than 14 August 2024, for this position.
The first interviews preferably take place in August.

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.