Postdoctoral Researcher in Neuropsychiatric Genetics

The Mental Health and Neuroscience Research Institute (MHeNs) at the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), Maastricht University, is recruiting a postdoc for a 3-year position to work on its strategic collaboration projects and initiatives with Cardiff University’s Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute. This programme is embedded in the internationally leading activities in neuropsychiatric genetics, genetic epidemiology and genetic imaging on which both institutes have been collaborating for more than a decade (for example in the consortia Genes to Mental Health, https://genes2mentalhealth.com/, Youth-GEMs, https://youth-gems.eu/, and STREAMLINE, https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/streamline). 

Job Description

The post-holder will conduct research and innovation with the context of our strategic collaboration programme in neuropsychiatric genetics, particularly in the areas of genetic epidemiology, translational genetics, gene x environment interactions and/or neuroimaging. The post-holder will develop their own research programme but also support the wider strategic aims of the collaboration, for example through preparation of joint funding applications, and be actively involved in the supervision of PhD candidates.

Specific tasks include: 

• Conduct internationally leading research in neuropsychiatric genetics and adjacent areas of epidemiology and/ or neuroscience.
• Contribute to the development of jointly curated data repositories and pipelines for integrated multi-omics analysis.
• Work proactively across both organisations (including regular visits to Cardiff) and engage with academics on both sides to prepare consortium applications (e.g., for Doctoral Training Networks).
• Prepare applications for personal grants/ fellowships, for example in the Marie Curie NWO Talent programmes. 

Requirements

The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator and team worker and fulfil the following criteria: 

• PhD in Neuroscience, Medicine, Psychology, Genetics or another relevant discipline.
• Excellent understanding of methods of Genetics, Epidemiology and Neuroscience.
• Excellent computational skills.
• International experience and interest in international collaboration. 

What we offer

As a postdoctoral researcher at the 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 11 according to UFO profile Researcher, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €4492,00 to €6148,00 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 36 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE.
• 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. 

Research Institute MHeNs

Within the Research Institute MHeNs, about 500 researchers conduct research into mechanisms and treatments of disorders of the brain, mind and sensory systems across 14 academic/ clinical departments. We have more than 600 publications annually in Science Citation indexed journals.

For more details see: https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/school-mental-health-andneuroscience. The postholder will also collaborate closely with colleagues at the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience and the Ultra-High-Field MRI Facility, Scannexus. 

Curious?

Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Professor David Linden, Scientific Director of MHeNs at david.linden@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information. 

Applying?

Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Postdoctoral Researcher in Neuropsychiatric Genetics? Apply now, no later than 12 September 2024, for this position. 

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.