Philippe Vangrieken

This PhD position at Maastricht University focuses on understanding how the reactive metabolite methylglyoxal (MGO) influences cardiovascular aging and cardiac metabolism. Hosted at the Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), one of Europe’s leading cardiovascular research centers, the project bridges metabolism, aging biology, and cardiovascular medicine in a collaborative, translational research environment. The successful candidate will work with an interdisciplinary team from the Departments of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, supervised by Prof. Casper Schalkwijk, Dr. Philippe Vangrieken, and Dr. Miranda Nabben. Research activities include designing and performing in vivo cardiac imaging and metabolic assessments, conducting ex vivo analyses of myocardial metabolism, executing in vitro studies in cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells, profiling dicarbonyls and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in biological samples using UPLC–MS/MS, and managing mouse models of obesity, diabetes, and aging. The project aims to clarify how dicarbonyl and AGE stress contribute to age-related changes in cardiac structure and metabolism, and to identify nutritional or pharmacological strategies to protect cardiac function. The position offers opportunities to publish results, present at international conferences, and contribute to teaching. Applicants should have a Master’s degree in a relevant field, hands-on experience in biomedical or cardiovascular research, technical skills in metabolic assays and imaging, and proficiency with quantitative data analysis and statistical tools. The university provides a supportive, international environment with a competitive salary, benefits, and professional development opportunities. The application deadline is 17 November 2025, and candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of background, as Maastricht University values diversity and inclusion.