Are you interested to investigate with our team whether extreme COVID-19 isolation was effective in vulnerable patients with kidney failure during the pandemic?

This concerns a postdoc researcher position in the Internal Medicine department within the CARIM research institute at the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences of Maastricht University for 1.0 FTE for 2 years.

As a postdoc researcher, you conduct research into the effects of COVID-19 measures imposed during the pandemic on patients with severe kidney failure, dialysis patients and patients after kidney transplantation. You will coordinate the project group that consists of representatives of the RECOVAC consortium, in which all UMCs, Nefrovisie the Dutch renal quality institute and the patient association are represented. Your location for this job is variable and not necessarily tied to Maastricht.

Job Description
Patients with severe kidney failure, dialysis patients and patients after kidney transplantation have been hit particularly hard by COVID-19 during the pandemic, with the highest risk of death or serious illness. It has been shown that the response to COVID-19 vaccination is lower compared to the general population. Many patients have therefore isolated themselves during the pandemic. Previous research by the RECOVAC consortium collected prospective data on how patients adhered to the COVID-19 measures and how they experienced this. By analyzing this data in relation to socio-economic background, vaccination status and infection rate, we can learn how to implement effective measures for vulnerable patients in the event of a new pandemic. The research is funded by ZonMW.

As a postdoc researcher you are responsible for the coordination and conduct of the research.

Your tasks consist of:

• Linking data from various sources such as RECOVAC, NOTR, Nefrodata, CBS and RIVM.
• Carrying out epidemiological analyses.
• Supervising PhD, bachelor's or master's students on sub-projects.
• Coordinate and lead the project group.
• Writing scientific publications for peer-reviewed medical journals.
• Writing publications for the public domain.
• Giving presentations at conferences or patient meetings.
• Report to ZonMW on the results of the research.

The person ultimately responsible for the project and your manager is Prof. Dr. M.H. Hemmelder, professor of nephrology at Maastricht University.

Requirements
We are searching for a PhD researcher who can work well together in a national research consortium with the following competencies

• PhD in medicine, health sciences, biomedical science or epidemiology.
• Knowledge and experience with applying quantitative research methods to large databases.
• Experience with independently conducting and coordinating scientific research.
• Excellent communication skills to share knowledge with client, stakeholders and partners.
• Excellent oral and written expression skills in the Dutch and English language.

What we offer
As a postdoc researcher 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 in scale 10 according to UFO profile Researcher, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €3345,00 and €5278,00 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 24 months with a scope of 1.0 FTE.
• 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 prof. dr. Marc Hemmelder at m.hemmelder@maastrichtuniversity.nl or 043-3875007 for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Postdoc researcher? Apply now, no later than 15 October 2024, for this position.

The first interviews preferably take place in week 46. The second interviews will preferably be held in week 47.

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.