"PhD position: Clinical research in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)"

• Our goal: To improve diagnosis and care for patients with HFpEF through advanced echocardiography, innovative treatment strategies, and clinical research that translates science into patient care.
• Your colleagues: You'll work in a close-knit and dynamic team of cardiologists, researchers, and fellow PhD candidates within the Cardiology department. We have an open culture, actively share knowledge, and collaborate closely, both professionally and personally. You'll receive intensive guidance from Dr. Vanessa van Empel and Dr. Christian Knackstedt and be part of a broader network both within and outside the hospital. There's room for clinical involvement, for example, through weekend shifts during your PhD program.

Our research group focuses on the early diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and improving the care of patients with this complex condition. We investigate how treatments impact the disease and which innovations we can implement to better support these patients. A wealth of carefully collected data already exists to give you a flying start, but you will also design new studies to further expand our knowledge. As a PhD candidate, your project will specifically focus on echocardiography and the diagnosis of HFpEF, but there is plenty of room to develop your own ideas and projects. 

What you do

• Setting up and conducting scientific research within your PhD trajectory.
• Identifying and including patients with HFpEF.
• Collecting, processing and analyzing research data.
• Writing and publishing articles in peer-reviewed journals.
• Presenting research results at regional, national and international conferences.
• Maintaining collaborations with medical and scientific partners.

Are you just starting your academic career? Feel free to contact us for a no-obligation introduction or a day of work experience.

Are you ready to set a course for the coming years? We'd love to meet you.

What you bring

: We're not interested in ticking boxes, but in who you are and what you bring to the table. Do you recognize yourself in this?

• Academically qualified. You have a completed Master's degree in Medicine.
• Independent. You take on projects and bring them to a successful conclusion.
• Strong communication skills. You can communicate clearly and convincingly, both orally and in writing.
• Well-organized. You plan and execute projects in a structured manner.
• Curious. You actively seek out new knowledge and solutions.
• Affinity for patient-focused research. You feel at home in a clinical research environment.
• Pros: Experience with data analysis, data science or programming (e.g. in R) is a strong plus.

What does UM offer?

As a  PhD position in Clinical Research on Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)  at the  Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences,  you'll be working at the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. We also offer:

• Excellent employment conditions. The position is classified in scale P according to the UFO PhD Candidate profile, with a corresponding salary scale based on experience between €3059.00 and €3881.00 gross per month (based on a full-time, 38-hour per week contract). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• A 12-month employment contract with 1.0 FTE. A positive evaluation will result in a three-year extension.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is paramount. We offer flexible working hours and the option to work partly from home, if the nature of your position allows. You'll receive a monthly home-working and internet allowance for this. If you join us full-time, you're entitled to 29 vacation days and four additional public holidays annually: Carnival Monday, Carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you use the option to accrue compensatory hours, you'll receive an additional 12 days. You can also customize your employment conditions using a collective labor agreement (CLA) choice model. 
• Maastricht University offers a variety of other excellent secondary employment benefits, including a good pension plan with ABP, and as a UM employee, you can participate in company fitness and take advantage of the extensive sports program we also offer our students. 
• Last but certainly not least, the space and facilities to develop yourself: personally and professionally. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and support various widely supported initiatives such as "recognition and appreciation." 

Maastricht University's employment conditions are largely laid down in the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities. Local provisions, specific to Maastricht University, also apply. For more information, click here .

Maastricht University

. Why work at Maastricht University? 

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. That of our students, because we give them a solid, broad foundation for the rest of their lives. And that of all of us, through our research into solutions for issues worldwide. With our six faculties, we provide a comprehensive range of education and research. 

In our teaching, we use Problem-Based Learning (PBL). This means that our students work in small groups to find solutions to problems and issues on their own. They discuss together, draw conclusions, formulate an answer, and present it to the entire group. In this way, they acquire important skills for their entire career. 

UM currently has more than 22,300 students and over 5,000 staff members from all over the world. This creates an inspiring and vibrant international community.  

Does this international environment with a focus on science appeal to you? And do you want to contribute in an academic or staff position? Then you are more than welcome to make your unique contribution! Because as a young European University of Maastricht, we offer perspectives that we translate to your talent. You are valuable to our university and society, and we inspire you to grow together with pride and joy. 

For more information about UM, click here . 

Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML) 

At the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), everything revolves around healthy living. Our research and education are not only focused on recovery but also strongly focus on prevention, health maintenance, and health promotion. We strive to use our knowledge and expertise to truly ensure healthy lives for individuals and society as a whole. In education, research, and care 

, the FHML has strong ties with Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), with which it forms the Maastricht University Medical Center. The FHML is made up of a (inter)national community of staff and students and is the largest faculty at Maastricht University. The faculty offers a wide range of Dutch- and English-language bachelor's and master's programs with innovative educational concepts that always emphasize building bridges to practice.

The FHML's multidisciplinary research focuses on several carefully selected current themes. In addition to research aimed at gaining new insights, it also involves research whose results can be directly translated into concrete applications and innovations. The various research programs are implemented within our  six graduate schools and two institutes . 

Curious?

Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Vanessa van Empel at Vanessa.van.empel@mumc.nl for more information.

Apply?

Or are you already convinced and will you become our new PhD candidate: Clinical research in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)? Then apply now, no later than September 14th, for this position. The first interviews will preferably take place in early October 2025. 

An orientation day can be part of the application procedure.

This vacancy is open to both internal and external candidates. In the event of equal suitability, internal candidates will be given preference.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and maintaining 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. We aim to achieve this through inclusive policies and innovative projects in collaboration with students and staff. We encourage you to apply for this position.