PhD position in Cerebrovascular Diseases and Cognitive Function, at the Cardiovascular Research Institute CARIM, Maastricht University (NL) and the department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven (BE)

PhD position in Cerebrovascular Diseases and Cognitive Function, at the Cardiovascular Research Institute CARIM, Maastricht University (NL) and the department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven (BE)
PhD position in Cerebrovascular Diseases and Cognitive Function, at the Cardiovascular Research Institute CARIM, Maastricht University (NL) and the department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven (BE)

Published	Deadline	Location
15 Feb	15 Mar	Maastricht

Job description

Cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) is a disorder of the cerebral microvasculature causing ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes and vascular dementia. Chronic hypertension and type II diabetes lead to remodelling and thickening of arterioles resulting in hypoperfusion of the capillary networks. Hypoperfusion, impaired neurovascular coupling and increased blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability lead to brain tissue damage and reduced cognitive function.
The current position concerns a project to look at the role of mechanotransduction by the endothelium in the development of cSVD. Funding for the position is awarded based on the candidate pursuing a double PhD between the Cardiovascular Research Institute CARIM at Maastricht University (NL) and the department of Cardiovascular Sciences at KU Leuven (BE). The doctoral work will mainly occur in Maastricht, however the candidate is expected to travel periodically to Leuven. This trans-disciplinary project will be co-supervised by Dr. Staals, a clinical neurologist at U Maastricht, Dr. Foulquier, a neuroscientist at U Maastricht, and Dr. Jones, an expert in mechanotransduction.

The project will involve significant histology and molecular biology techniques, as well as animal cognitive testing. The experimental protocols will be both in vitro and in vivo.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Design and rigorous execution of experimental work, data analysis and dissemination of results;
• Co-supervise research interns;
• Contribute to teaching activities carried by the research group;
• Creative and independent thinker who can deepen a research question;
• Excellent communicator (oral and written) and team worker.

Specifications

• max. 38 hours per week
• €2541—€3247 per month
• Maastricht View on Google Maps

Maastricht University (UM)

Requirements

• a MSc degree in a biomedical related field;
• animal certification (Dutch art 9 or FELASA C) or willingness to obtain such a certificate;
• excellent written and oral communication skills in English;
• knowledge and experience with cell culture and common laboratory assays (especially gene expression analysis);
• knowledge and experience with animal behavior and/or confocal/multiphoton imaging will be a major advantage.

You will be embedded in an interdisciplinary team where you will collaborate with other PhD-students and postdoctoral fellows from the participating research groups. Therefore, we are looking for a candidate who can quickly interact with different people and strives in a fast-paced environment.

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: 4 years (1+3).

What do we offer?

• An international PhD training program taught in English;
• Friendly and multi-disciplinary environment;
• State-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge research project;
• Fixed-term contract of 1 + 3 years (evaluation after first year), full-time position.
• Your salary will be € 2,541 gross per month in the first year up to € 3,247 gross per month in the fourth year according to the PhD-candidate salary scale of the Collective Labor Agreement of the Dutch Universities (CAONU).
  On top of this, there is an 8% holiday and an 8.3% year-end allowance.
• In addition to good primary employment conditions, UM also offers an attractive package of secondary employment conditions.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl  > About UM > Working at UM .

Employer
Maastricht University

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 22,000 students and about 5,000 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience. 
For more information, visit www.maastrichtuniversity.nl .

Additional information

For more information about this position, please contact:
L. Jones, email liz.jones@kuleuven .be  or
S. Foulquier, email [email protected]

Deadline for submitting your application is March 15 2023. Start date is negotiable.

To apply at this vacancy, press the button ‘apply now’ to see the application procedure.

Working at Maastricht University

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Application procedure

Please send your CV with names of two referees and a cover letter, stating the vacancy number AT2023.85, to: 
[email protected]

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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.