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What if we could slow down vascular ageing by targeting the cells where the first signs of ageing occur? Join an ambitious, NWO VICI-funded research project at CARIM (Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht) investigating the role of mesenchymal cells and their metabolism in vascular ageing. By combining multi-omics approaches with functional and metabolic studies, you will help identify new therapeutic targets to delay vascular ageing and cardiovascular disease.

Postdoctoral Researcher: Reset Aged Vascular Function   

• Our goal: Demonstrate causality of identified targets to reset fibroblast function and/or metabolism to rescue vascular dysfunction in ageing, hypertension and/or atherosclerosis.
• Your colleagues: You will be embedded in the group of Prof. Sluimer, embedded in the Pathology department and CARIM, which studies the role immune and mesenchymal cells in vascular pathologies, such as atherosclerosis and vascular ageing (http://www.pathologie.mumc.nl/medewerkers/sluimer). CARIM is one of the eight research institutes of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML) of Maastricht University (UM). It is embedded in the Maastricht University Medical Center+ (Maastricht UMC+). Located in the heart of Europe, UM holds the distinction of being the most internationally diverse university in the Netherlands with more than half of our students and academic staff coming from abroad. In total, UM represents 100 different nationalities.

The project centres on ageing of the vasculature and is supported by an NWO VICI grant. Vascular ageing, for which there is no treatment, accelerates cardiovascular disease. Until now research and therapies have only focussed on the inner layers of the vasculature to delay vascular ageing. However, the first signs of ageing occur in the perivascular layer. This project aims to adapt the function of cells in the perivascular layer to delay vascular ageing by analysing human and murine cells and arteries and animal models to create a cross-species multi-omics RNA and metabolic atlas. You will investigate gene leads that change with ageing using functional and metabolism assays and gain/loss of function studies. We expect this study will yield new treatment options for vascular ageing and delay cardiovascular disease.

What you do

• Design, plan and perform experiments with cells, and tissues related to expression detection, function and metabolism of fibroblasts
• Design, plan and perform experiments with small animal models to study vascular ageing, hypertension and/or atherosclerosis
• Communicate results and ideas to colleagues and at conferences
• Supervise BSc/MSc/PhD-students
• Contribute to teaching activities for BSc/MSc students
• Contribute to grant development
• Optional: Analyse single cell sequencing datasets (R (i.e. Seurat) or Python)

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you. 

What you bring 
We’re not looking for checkboxes; we’re interested in who you are and what you bring. Do you recognize yourself in this?

You are curious and eager to learn, adapt easily to new situations, and are open to feedback to continuously develop your skills and improve your work.

Furthermore:

• You have a PhD in Biology, Health Sciences or Medicine.
• You have demonstrable research experience in cardiovascular research and one or more related topics, such as vascular ageing, atherosclerosis, and/or fibroblast metabolism.
• You have the ability to independently perform one or more of the following techniques: metabolism assays, small animal models and/or myography. Experience with flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and/or bioinformatics (e.g. R or Python) is considered an advantage.
• You have the ability to independently design and perform cell culture experiments.
• You have excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and enjoy working in an international research environment.

What we offer
At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer: 

• A 12-month contract (1 FTE) with the prospect of a 12 month extension.
• A gross monthly salary of € 3.706 - € 5.760 based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week in scale 10.5). 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus. 
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours. 
• Flexible working hours, a home office allowance, and the option to work from home. 
• Freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas. 
• A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with. 
• A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities. 
• An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe. 

About the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML)
FHML is committed to health in the broadest sense: from molecule to human, and from healthcare to prevention. We train healthcare professionals and researchers through innovative educational programmes and conduct groundbreaking research in health and well-being. As part of Maastricht UMC+ (MUMC+), our international and interdisciplinary community forms a unique collaboration between university and academic hospital, where education, research, and care come together.

About CARIM

At CARIM, basic mechanisms as well as early diagnosis and individual risk stratification of cardiovascular disease are studied, allowing faster translation of new research concepts to clinical practice. Our pursuit is to enhance early recognition and prevention of cardiovascular disease, advance therapeutic options, and provide impactful and inspiring mentorship to nurture the growth of young talent and staff in their scientific careers. We value open communication and an inclusive working environment and actively implement our academic recognition & awards program.

Interested?
Want to know more about this position or what it’s like to work at our university? Reach out to Prof. Judith Sluimer at [email protected].

Please upload a CV, motivation letter and provide reference letter(s) if available no later than 15 November 2026.

• You will be informed within 3 weeks after this deadline whether you are invited for an interview including a short presentation of your prior work, likely early December.
• A reference check is also part of the procedure in phase one. After further selection a lab orientation day will be organized to meet the wider team, and/or an assessment of lab skills.

Apply now via the button below. We look forward to getting to know you!

About Maastricht University
At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,300 students and 5,400 employees across 5 regional locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities for yourself and the world around you. Together, we can find the answers for tomorrow.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

At Maastricht University, we prefer to contact potential candidates directly. We therefore kindly ask that no agencies or intermediaries submit offers or approaches.

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.