PhD : vicious circle of protein modification-induced chronic inflammation

Overview

What if cardiometabolic and autoimmune diseases share a root cause? Join a cutting‑edge collaboration uncovering how post‑translational protein modifications ignite chronic inflammation and how we can intervene.

For our Zon‑MW funded project, we invite 2 enthusiastic PhD candidates, one based at the Maastricht University and one at the Leiden University Medical Centre. This vacancy is for the position at Maastricht University, offering a stimulating research setting and close collaboration within the project team.

PhD Candidate:
The vicious circle of protein modification‑induced chronic inflammation

Our goal: In this project, you will explore how post‑translationally modified proteins and their antibodies contribute to chronic (low‑grade) inflammation and the development of cardiometabolic diseases. By studying complement activation and its association with (sub) clinical phenotypes using data from The Maastricht Study, you will help clarify their relevance in the etiology of disease.

Your colleagues: You will be embedded in a collaborative research environment at Maastricht University, working closely with researchers within the local team and a fellow PhD candidate at Leiden University Medical Centre in the research group of Prof Dr L.T. Trouw. The PhD candidate based in Leiden will focus on the experimental and translational components, complementing the human data analyses performed in Maastricht.

In this PhD project, you will explore how activation of the complement system by PTMs contributes to systemic low‑grade inflammation and to the development of cardiometabolic diseases. You will use data and biobanked samples of The Maastricht Study, a large and deeply‑phenotyped observational cohort, as well as intervention cohorts.

You will design and perform assays to measure several post‑translationally modified proteins (PTMs) such as malondialdehyde‑acetaldehyde adducted proteins, advanced glycation end products, and carbamylated proteins and their antibodies in this cohort. You will combine these data with the available in‑depth (pre) clinical phenotypes to address how PTM‑activated complement activation contributes to the development of cardiometabolic diseases.

What you do

As a PhD candidate you will:

• Design and perform ELISA‑based measurements of PTMs, anti‑PTMs and complement in human samples (observation and interventional).
• Perform data analyses to relate these data to clinical outcomes.
• Perform cluster analyses to uncover underlying (patho) physiological phenotypes.
• Collaborate with the LUMC‑team to integrate the human findings and preclinical experimental data.
• Publish your results, present at international conferences, and contribute to departmental teaching activities.

We’re not looking for check boxes; we’re interested in who you are and what you bring. Do you recognize yourself in this? You are interested in interdisciplinary research that explores the full translational axis. Our ideal candidate holds accuracy and precision in high regards, possesses strong analytical and critical thinking skills, excellent communication skills, collaboration, good time management and organisational skills. Adaptability and a proactive learning attitude are key to successfully completing a PhD track.

In addition, the candidate brings:

• MSc in Biomedical Sciences, Epidemiology, Medicine, Biology, Health Sciences, or a related field.
• Good laboratory skills, preferably including experience with analytical laboratory assays such as ELISA.
• Experience and affinity with statistical analyses in large datasets (regression, mediation, moderation).
• Experience in working in interdisciplinary teams or a strong desire to do so.
• Excellent proficiency in scientific English (speaking, reading, and writing), at C1 level or higher.
• Proficiency in SPSS and/or R or willingness to learn.
• A keen and demonstratable interest in the etiology behind the development of cardiovascular diseases and related comorbidities.

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

• 12‑month contract (1.0 FTE) with the prospect of a 3‑year extension based on…