We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate to join our multidisciplinary department at the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences.

Regenerative stem cell medicine is a rapidly advancing field of medical science focused on utilizing the body’s natural ability to heal and regenerate. It offers immense therapeutic potential, introducing personalized treatments for various conditions such as degenerative diseases, organ failure, and traumatic injuries. However, the ability to regenerate or replace damaged or aging body parts raises important ethical and philosophical questions. From a practical perspective, there are concerns about safety and how to establish acceptable standards of risk when applying these therapies in clinical settings. Additionally, there are questions about the fair distribution of these potentially life-changing treatments, especially given that they are often costly and resource-intensive. How should limited healthcare resources be allocated, and who should have access to these therapies? On a conceptual level, regenerative medicine challenges our understanding of health, disease, and the aging process itself. Should aging and age-related conditions be treated as medical issues that regenerative medicine must address? If we start treating aging as a disease, how will that shift societal perceptions of health and disease? Moreover, regenerative medicine raises philosophical questions about human identity and the nature of life. As we gain the ability to extend life or rejuvenate the body, what does that mean for our concepts of aging, self-worth, and the meaning of life? Could these medical advancements alter our relationship with mortality, and if so, is that a desirable outcome?

Job Description
This research project aims to explore such questions with the purpose of contributing to the development of a sustainable normative framework for a safe, just, and morally desirable translational use of (human) induced pluripotent stem cells in regenerative medicine. The insights gathered from this research project are intended to provide recommendations for (inter)national policymaking.

Activities within this project include (1) reviewing the ethical literature on regenerative medicine and the translational use of (human) induced stem cells, specifically, (2) identifying relevant scientific developments at the interface of (human) induced stem cell research and regenerative medicine, (3) examining what normative experts, prospective patients and lay citizens consider to be the (key and outstanding) ethical issues in the introduction of regenerative stem cell medicine, (4) developing a sustainable ethical framework for the responsible (safe, just, and desirable) introduction of regenerative stem cell medicine, and (5) analysing and evaluating how relevant the foregoing scientific developments and ethical findings relate to Dutch legislation (and/or lack thereof).

As a PhD Candidate, you will be working closely with experienced ethics researchers at the Health, Ethics and Society department of Maastricht University . On top of your research activities, you will also be involved in the teaching of Health Ethics and Health Law course (for a maximum of 0.1FTE per year) within the bachelor of Medicine.

Requirements
We are looking for a motivated and pro-active PhD student with a demonstrable interest in the ethics of stem cells, and their translational use for regenerative purposes, in particular. You are able to work both independently and in a team. An ethics master’s degree is a prerequisite. A biomedical master’s degree is an advantage. Excellent proficiency of English and Dutch is required.

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 €2872,00 in the first year and €3670,00 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.

Department Health Ethics and Society
The Department Health, Ethics and Society (also known as Metamedica) is part of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Lifesciences. Our team is dynamic and multidisciplinary in nature, with contributions from a range of health humanities disciplines, including ethics, law, sociology, anthropology, history, and philosophy. Its central ambition is to contribute to critical reflection on developments in biomedical science and healthcare through education and research, both locally and internationally/global.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Dr. Hafez Ismaili M’Hamdi via hafezismailimhamdi@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD Candidate? Apply now, no later than 17 October 2024, for this position.

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.