We are recruiting a motivated and talented PhD candidate interested in pushing neuromodulatory treatment strategies for Parkinson’s Disease forward by exploring their mechanisms of action.

Job Description
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is used to treat several neurological and psychiatric disorders, with the most significant and beneficial effects observed in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients who have medically refractory levodopa-induced motor complications. However, not all PD patients benefit from DBS, and some are reluctant to undergo brain surgery.

Our project aims to address these challenges by investigating the mechanisms of DBS in PD using animal models and advanced electrophysiology techniques, specifically neuropixels. We will compare the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of both conventional and novel DBS techniques, utilizing magnetic nanoparticle technology for advanced neuromodulation. The successful candidate will join a dynamic team of researchers, gaining the opportunity to make significant contributions to the fields of neuromodulation and neurodegenerative diseases.
Our team offers you an exciting learning environment in the fields of translational neuroscience and neurophysiology. You will join the PI group led by Dr. Sarah Hescham, embedded in the
Neurosurgery Department at the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences and Dr. Mark Janssen, embedded in the clinical neurophysiology department, Maastricht University Medical Center. You will work in a very open and cooperative group of colleagues and supervisors.

You will have the following responsibilities:

• Experimental design;
• Acquisition, processing and analysing electrophysiological data;
• Write scientific papers;
• Present research outcomes at national and international conferences;
• Teach in master and bachelor level courses;
• Contribute to a nice and open group atmosphere.

Expected start date: 01-09-2024

Requirements
The ideal candidate has successfully completed a master’s degree (or equivalent) in neuroscience, biomedical sciences, biomedical engineering or related disciplines. You are enthusiastic to start a 4year PhD journey investigating new neuromodulation strategies for Parkinson’s Disease.

Background:

• A master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., neuroscience, biomedical sciences, biomedical engineering).

Skills:

• You are excited about research and wish to pursue a career in science;
• Completion of the Lab Animal Science course (Art. 9) or similar;
• Experience with electrophysiology is a plus;
• Experience with programming languages (e.g., python/matlab/R) is a plus;
• You like working in a team and have good communication skills - You have an excellent command of written and spoken English.

What we offer
As a PhD candidate at the PhD candidate on deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's Disease 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, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging 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.

Neurosurgery Department
The Neurosurgery Department is part of MUMC+. Research and education within the neurosurgery department is dedicated to the scientific investigation of neuromodulation and brain-behaviour relationships. Emphasis is placed on understanding and treating neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and brain injury. Through the innovative application of neuromodulation interventions, efforts are made to evaluate biological mechanisms underlying cognitive, affective, and behavioral functions.

Department of Clinical Neurophysiology
The Department of Clinical Neurophysiology at MUMC+ is dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of neurological disorders through cutting-edge research and clinical practice. Our focus is on the intricate relationships between neural activity and human behavior, with an emphasis on neuromodulation techniques and state-of-the-art electrophysiological methods.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Dr. Sarah Hescham via sarah.hescham@maastrichtuniversity.nl or Dr. Mark Janssen via m.janssen@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD candidate? Apply now, no later than 18 August 2024, for this position.

Please provide a motivation letter, a CV, and two potential references we could contact for more information.

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.