Job Description
Join our team in investigating inflammation's role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression and uncovering potential therapeutic avenues. Specifically, we're diving into the impact of ceramide transfer protein (CERT) on inflammation modulation in AD. Our goal is to determine which domains of CERT exert the most potent inflammation-modulating effects. We will reintroduce CERT domains into CERT-deficient microglia both in vitro and in vivo to assess their impact. Through detailed analysis of inflammatory parameters, lipid profiles, and extensive sequencing, we aim to characterize each CERT domain's modulatory effects. This research promises to shed light on new targets for early-stage AD prevention.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Be able to set up, perform, and monitor research project outlines.
• Experience with molecular and cellular biology techniques including cell lines and primary culture, bacteria growing, cloning, DNA and RNA isolations, virus transductions (AAV, lentivirus) , qPCR, western bot and ELISA.
• Mentor, stimulate, and connect PhD candidates throughout their project trajectory.
• Help with writing and submitting research proposals and academic papers.
• Possess, or be open to acquiring, an Article 9 certificate to conduct animal research. Experience working with animal including setting up animal experiments, minimally invasive procedures, and behavioral testing.
• Collaborate with and report to (other) research teams, departments, manufacturers, and funding bodies.
• Good professional and communication skills, showing effective teamwork within the organization.

Job requirements
Selection Criteria:

• A highly motivated candidate.
• Scientific knowledge and interest in the field of neuroscience and inflammation.
• A PhD degree in neuroscience, biomedical sciences, or another related discipline with a proven track record of authoring high-quality papers.
• Intrinsic interest to get to the core of a problem, particularly in AD and the scope of translational research.
• Willingness to collaborate in an efficient working style, strong communication skills, and enthusiasm for interaction with our patient user group are further prerequisites.

What we offer

As a Postdoc 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 in scale 11 according to UFO profile Researcher, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €4332,00 and €5929,00 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 1 year 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.

The School of Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs)
MHeNs dedicates its research to unraveling mechanisms, causes, and treatments for diseases related to the CNS, sensory systems, and mental disorders. In the Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology of Maastricht University, the Neuroimmunology group, led by Prof. Dr. Pilar Martinez (hCps://www.researchgroup-neuroim.com/), investigates sphingolipid metabolism and its dysregulation in AD pathogenesis and their effect on the immune system. Further the group focus on the characterization of the ceramide transporter protein (CERT) which is impaired in AD brain, promoting AD pathophysiology. The research team is actively engaged in neuroinflammation and autoimmunity and collaborates with the Maastricht University Medical Center + (MUMC+).

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Feel free to contact Sofia Perez de Aviles, RA via s.perezdeaviles@maastrichtuniveristy.nl for more information. for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Postdoc? Apply now, no later than 06/02/2024, 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.