The Department of Human Biology at Maastricht University invites applications for a fully funded PhD position. This project focuses on developing and applying advanced MRI-based metabolic imaging techniques to study how lifestyle interventions, such as exercise and nutrition, affect carbohydrate metabolism in both health and disease, with a focus on cancer patients.

Project Description
Lifestyle interventions are important not only in the prevention of metabolic diseases but also for improving health outcomes in patients with conditions such as cancer. In this PhD project advanced metabolic imaging techniques, such as deuterium metabolic imaging, will be developed at a 7T MRI scanner and applied to explore the impact of nutritional strategies and exercise interventions on carbohydrate metabolism across multiple organs, as well as in tumor tissue. By contributing to this project, the candidate will help generate new insights into how these interventions can be optimized for health improvements, both in disease prevention and patient care. This research has the potential to influence public health strategies by offering evidence-based insights into tailored interventions, potentially shaping future nutritional and exercise guidelines in clinical settings.

Role description
The PhD candidate will:

• Study relevant literature in the field of carbohydrate metabolism in health and disease (e.g. cancer patients).
• Work out the details of the project proposal and obtain medical ethical approval.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers to develop MR metabolic imaging methods at 7T to measure carbohydrate metabolism in different organs.
• Plan, coordinate and perform human lifestyle intervention studies.
• Perform biochemical lab analyses, MRI/MRS analyses and accompanying data analyses.

Main tasks and responsibilities
We offer a challenging PhD research project and we ask for a highly motivated PhD candidate with a strong background, interest, and affinity for academic research in the area of lifestyle interventions and metabolic health to further strengthen our research group. Additionally, candidates with expertise in MRI/MRS methodology will be prioritized.

The candidate will be responsible for:

• Contributing to the full project plan (under supervision).
• Developing an ultra-high field MR metabolic imaging method to measure tissue carbohydrate metabolism (in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team).
• Setting up and executing a human intervention study (writing protocol for ethical clearance, practical preparation for research, participant/patient recruitment, planning and execution of test days, data handling and analysis).
• Preparing progress reports, writing high-quality papers to be published in international peer-reviewed journals (under supervision), and present research outcomes at national and international conferences.
• Actively contributing to other research activities within the larger research group.
• Setting up and/or maintaining collaborations with other partners.
• Keeping up with the relevant scientific literature within the field of study.
• Supervising of research assistants and students, where appropriate.
• Completing a PhD thesis in 4 years.

Requirements
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with:

• A Master's degree in a relevant field such as human movement sciences, biomedical engineering, (technical) medicine, biomedical sciences, or health sciences.
• A strong interest in the areas of lifestyle interventions, human and carbohydrate metabolism is preferred.
• Experience with MRI or other imaging techniques (we will provide training and support to develop expertise in metabolic imaging during the project).
• Proven skills in quantitative analysis and scientific writing.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.

What we offer
As PhD Position: Investigating Effects of Lifestyle Interventions on Carbohydrate Metabolism 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 P according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €2901,00 and €3707,00 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 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 of Human Biology
The Department of Human Biology is part of the Institute of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), 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 PhD programme, NUTRIM aims to educate investigators of high scientific excellence and ambassadors to support and develop the field of nutrition and translational research in metabolism within and outside the Netherlands. NUTRIM is partner within unique consortia in which academia, industry and the government join forces to stimulate the transfer of knowledge generated in fundamental research to Dutch industry, thereby strengthening its innovative power and competitive strength.

For more information (NUTRIM website): https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/school-nutrition-and-translational-research-metabolism

Curious?
For more information about the project or the position, feel free to contact:

• Cas Fuchs, PhD (cas.fuchs@maastrichtuniversity.nl)
• Jeanine Prompers, PhD (jeanine.prompers@maastrichtuniversity.nl)
• Luc van Loon, PhD (l.vanloon@maastrichtuniversity.nl)

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD Position: Investigating Effects of Lifestyle Interventions on Carbohydrate Metabolism? Apply now, no later than January 15, 2024, for this position.

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents:

1. CV, including academic qualifications, publications, and relevant work experience.
2. Motivation letter (max 1 page) explaining your interest in the project and your suitability for the position.
3. Contact details of two academic references who can provide letters of recommendation.
4. A sample of your academic writing (e.g., thesis, report, or paper).

Interviews will be held in January/February 2025, and the position is expected to start in March/April 2025.

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.