PhD position - Mitochondrial dysfunction-derived lipid droplet accumulation promotes atrial fibrillation in diabetes

Your job

Do you have a strong interest and background in academic research in the field of cardiac and metabolic health? Are you interested in experimental molecular  physiological research to generate mechanistic knowledge on the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and lipid droplets in arrhythmogenesis leading to atrial fibrillation in patients with diabetes, and using multiple systems to test potential compounds to prevent cardiac arrhythmia in diabetes? Then this position as PhD candidate at the chair group Human and Animal Physiology may be of interest to you.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• to investigate the molecular mechanism of arrhythmogenesis using (omic) molecular techniques;
• to conduct pharmacological and nutritional interventions in cells, fruit flies and mice and to verify key findings in patient materials (blood and cardiac tissue);
• write academic publications (with support from the supervisory team) and present findings at national and/or international conferences;
• actively contribute to other research activities and a stimulating research culture within the immediate research group and larger chair group;
• supervise research assistants and BSc/MSc students, where appropriate.

You will work here
The research is embedded within the chair group Human and Animal Physiology, which is led by Prof. Jaap Keijer. You will be co-supervised by Dr. Deli Zhang (primary daily supervisor).

Your qualities

You have:

• a scientific drive and curiosity, and are proactive, and capable of working well in a supportive academic environment;
• a 'hands-on' mentality, and excellent organization and communication skills;
• eager to pursue an academic career and contribute to innovative cardiac and metabolic research;
• positively contribute to a collaborative research culture that stimulates personal development and academic advancements of those you work with.

You also possess:

• a successfully completed MSc degree in molecular biology, medicine, biomedical sciences or equivalent;
• experience in molecular mechanistic studies in cells, and/or rodents;
• interest in linking cardiac physiology with molecular mechanisms via state-of-the-art molecular techniques;
• excellent organization skills, independent working, and hands-on mentality;
• excellent writing and oral communication skills in English;
• experience with electrophysiology and confocal imaging would be a plus;
• laboratory animal science certificate would be a plus;
• good level of Dutch language would be an advantage;

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 . 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:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• 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 December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD candidate position and you will be offered a training and supervision program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 2.872 - per month rising to € 3.670,-  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.

We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 19th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. We can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Do you want more information?

Do you want more information?
For more information about this position, please contact Dr Deli Zhang Assistant Professor, by email: deli.zhang@wur.nl.
For more information about the procedure, please contact Noorien Abbas,  corporate recruiter, noorien.abbas@wur.nl.

Do you want to apply?
You can apply with a motivation letter and a complete CV directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including September 16^th,  2024.  We hope to schedule the first job interviews on soon after the closing date.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!


We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.