We are looking for a PhD candidate with a strong background, interest, and affinity for academic research in exercise and nutritional interventions for clinical populations, who will be responsible for:

• Contribution to the full project plan (under supervision).
• Setting up and executing research studies within a clinical setting (writing protocol for ethical clearance, practical preparation for research, patient recruitment, planning and execution of test days, data handling and analysis).
• Prepare progress reports, write academic publications (under supervision), and present research outcomes at national and international conferences.
• Active contribution to other research activities within the larger research group - Setting up and/or maintaining collaborations with various other groups within the University and Hospital.
• Keeping up with the relevant scientific literature within the field of study.
• Supervision of research assistants and students, where appropriate.
• Completing a PhD thesis in 4 years

Project description
The World Health Organization (WHO) has set the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for protein intake at 0.8 g/kg/d for adults. The RDA represents the minimal amount of protein intake that is required to prevent net protein losses. However, protein intakes exceeding the RDA have shown to elicit several benefits such as attenuating age-related and disease-related muscle loss or improving the adaptive responses to exercise. Thus, there is a need to establish optimal protein requirements as opposed to merely the minimal protein requirements. Within the m3 research group (www.m3- research.nl), we study the impact of exercise and nutritional interventions on protein metabolism, and how protein requirements are modulated by factors such as age, physical activity, or clinical conditions.

The current project will center around applying novel amino acid oxidation methodology to assess optimal protein intake requirements on an individual and (sub)population level.

Candidates should hold a Master degree (MSc) in a relevant field (e.g. nutrition, biomedical science, medicine, or exercise sciences/movement sciences). Demonstrated research affinity and interest in the area of protein metabolism and/or tracer methodology is a preference. The preferred candidate is a team player with excellent collaboration and communication skills, including speaking English fluently. Finally, the candidate should have a strong drive to participate in in vivo human research on the impact of exercise and nutrition on muscle mass, function, and overall health in various populations.

What we offer

As PhD candidate 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:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded according to UFO profile PhD candidate, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from € 2,770 and € 3,539 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 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.

Human Biology / NUTRIM
The Department of Human Biology is part of NUTRIM, Research Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, 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 - Research Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism is part of the Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences of the Maastricht University. 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. Through its research master and PhD programme, NUTRIM aims to educate investigators of high scientific excellence and ambassadors to support and develop this research field. For more information: NUTRIM Website.