Academic ConnectPhD position in precision nutrition and human metabolism
article_published_on_labelJune 3, 2025
Location Wageningen
End date Mon 30 June 2025
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Your job
Are you fascinated by human metabolism? Are you interested in performing dietary intervention trials to investigate why persons respond differently to nutrition? Do you want to work in an ambitious, multidisciplinary team? Then join our group, the Nutrition, Metabolism, and Genomics group at the Division of Human Nutrition and Health!
Please note:
Only applicants with proven proficiency in Dutch (native level or at least B2) will be considered for this position, due to the nature of the work involving direct interaction with study participants.
What are you going to do?
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic PhD candidate to work with us on precision nutrition and human metabolism research.
Increasing evidence shows that individuals respond very differently to foods, meals, and diets, but the biological mechanisms driving this variation remain largely unknown. Post-meal glucose and lipid responses are short-term markers of how individuals respond to nutrition.
In this project, we will conduct human dietary intervention trials to study these post-meal responses to complex meals under controlled conditions. We aim to gain novel insights into both intra- and inter-individual differences in these metabolic responses. In addition, we will study how the timing of meals affects these acute responses, including the variability between and within individuals.
The data collected in these trials will feed into the development of the Human Dietary Digital Twin—a computational model for the prediction of individual metabolic responses to complex meals. This modeling work will be carried out by a PhD candidate at the Technical University of Eindhoven. The project is part of a larger public-private partnership funded by TKI and private partners.
As a PhD candidate on this project, you will be responsible for:
designing two dietary intervention trials and preparing the medical ethical approval dossier, in close collaboration with the project team;
coordinating the execution of these trials, in collaboration with the staff of the WUR Human Research Unit (HRU);
performing data analysis and interpretation;
publishing the findings in peer-reviewed journals and presenting research output at consortium meetings and (inter)national conferences;
supervising BSc/MSc students and research assistants, where appropriate.
You will work here
The research is embedded within the Chair Group Nutrition, Metabolism and Genomics, Within this group, you will be part of the Precision Nutrition for Cardiometabolic Health team, led by Prof. Lydia Afman. You will be co-supervised by dr. Anouk Gijbels.
Your qualities
You are a highly motivated, committed, and proactive (aspiring) researcher and colleague with a strong scientific drive and interest in human metabolism and nutrition.
You also possess:
an MSc in Nutrition and Health, or related biomedical field;
excellent organisational skills, strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, and effective written and verbal communication skills in both Dutch and English;
ability to work independently, while also collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary research team;
resilience and perseverance;
affinity for working with study participants and strong interpersonal communication skills in Dutch.
As you will be working with study participants in a dietary intervention trial, excellent interpersonal communication skills in Dutch are essential. For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.
We offer you
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
partially paid parental leave;
working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
excellent pension scheme.
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 2.901,- per month rising to € 3.707,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.
Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.
You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.
Do you want more information?
For more information about the position, please contact Dr. Anouk Gijbels, by email: Anouk.gijbels@wur.nl.
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Rutger Voorrips, Corporate Recruiter, by e-mail: rutger.voorrips@wur.nl.
Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered. Because of the need to be fluent in Dutch, we expect your motivational letter to be in Dutch.
You can apply up and until 30 June 2025. The first (online) interviews are scheduled on 7 and 8 July 2025. The second round of interviews will be on location on 16, 21 and 22 July 2025.
Additional information form
For this position, you must fill in a mandatory form which will allow us to have a comprehensive view of your qualifications and better assess your fit for it. You can access the form using this link.
Your prompt response will ensure that your application continues to move forward in the evaluation process. We assure you that the information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for this application process.
Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.
We are
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.
We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.
Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!
We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves and do not appreciate unasked for services from recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.
