Marie Skłodowska-Curie PhD Candidate in modelling bone healing and remodelling

Welcome to Maastricht University

Help shape the future of musculoskeletal healthcare through more inclusive, personalised and innovative modelling. Are you aspiring to become an excellent researcher in bone healing and remodelling? Are you interested in technological development and cutting-edge research in musculoskeletal engineering? Do you want to start a PhD in modelling bone healing and remodelling?

Join EDI-MSK, a European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN), and contribute to developing the next generation of musculoskeletal models that better reflect the diversity of the people they are designed to serve.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Candidate in modelling bone healing and remodelling: EDI-MSK, Equitable MusculoSKeletal health Driven by Inclusive models

About EDI-MSK

EDI-MSK (Equitable MusculoSKeletal health Driven by Inclusive models) addresses one of the most important challenges in musculoskeletal health: embedding diversity and inclusion at the core of model developments rather than narrow or biased datasets. With an interdisciplinary research programme combining computational and experimental approaches, EDI-MSK aims to develop robust, generalizable, and ethically grounded models and simulations of musculoskeletal health and disease. Beyond individual research projects, EDI-MSK aims to leave a lasting legacy by developing the methods, talent and evidence needed to make future musculoskeletal healthcare more equitable, personalised and impactful for diverse populations worldwide. The interdisciplinary network consists of 20 internationally leading organisations across 10 countries, who are at the scientific forefront of combining biomedical science, engineering, imaging and simulations to develop the next generation of research and innovation leaders in the field of musculoskeletal health. Doctoral candidates will work across the University of Leeds (UK), KU Leuven (BE), University Pompeu Fabra (SP), University of Padua (IT), Delft University of Technology (NL), University Maastricht (NL) and the Society for In Silico Medicine (BE).

This PhD project (DC6) aims to develop models of the effects of chronic kidney disease on bone healing and remodelling. The project objectives will:

• identify the underlying mechanisms by which uremic toxins affect bone remodelling and regeneration through network models of cells and signalling pathways;
• couple these changes with a biomechanical model of bone healing and remodelling;
• incorporate realistic conditions from a lower-limb model to the multiscale bone healing model to predict differences in fracture healing for patients with chronic kidney disease.

The project is expected to deliver a suite of multiscale computational models simulating the effect of uremic toxins on bone healing and regeneration. Findings will provide new insights on the mechanisms by which uremic toxins affect bone remodelling and regeneration.

What you will gain within this specific research project

As an EDI-MSK Doctoral Candidate, you will have the opportunity to pursue an innovative PhD project while benefiting from the training, expertise and international collaborations of a European research network. Become part of a cohort of 15 doctoral researchers collaborating across 20 leading organisations in 10 countries, bringing together expertise from biomedical engineering, computational modelling, experimental biomechanics, social sciences, imaging, clinical research and industry.

You will develop expertise in bone experimental modelling and simulation, while gaining access to advanced research infrastructure, specialised training and expertise across the EDI-MSK network. You will benefit from interdisciplinary cohort-based training at the intersection of biomedical engineering, research dissemination and communication, research exploitation and career transitions, while working within an international network spanning academia, healthcare, non-profit and industry. You will gain advanced research expertise, international mobility experience, strong transferable skills and exposure to real-world health innovation.

Supervised by Prof. Carlier and Prof. Arts at the Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology and Bioinformatics (MaCSBio) at Maastricht University and with Prof. Sawacha at Università degli Studi di Padova you will join a multidisciplinary team of modelling and simulation experts and musculoskeletal researchers. The place of employment will be MaCSBio, which strives to perform cutting edge research in the interdisciplinary fields of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics. In particular, resarchers at MaCSBio aim to understand, simulate and manipulate biological systems using advanced mathematical and computational methods; current research themes include Systems BioMedicine, Computational Neuroscience, and Systems Biology of Plants.

As an international consortium, we welcome applicants from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to researchers’ development. We welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian and ethnically diverse people; people who identify as LGBTQ+; and people with disabilities. Candidates will always be selected based on merit and ability. We are committed to promote equal opportunities and encourage applicants whose careers have been interrupted or of researchers-at-risk.

You will receive a funded doctoral research position with employment conditions in accordance with the MSCA Doctoral Network framework and applicable national and institutional regulations, including mobility and, where eligible, family allowances. For this position, the successful candidate will be employed under a Dutch employment contract, governed by Dutch labour law.

What you bring to the role

You will have a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering or equivalent, with research experience or an interest in bone healing, modelling and simulation and co-morbidities, and the flexibility to travel throughout Europe. You have demonstrable training in mathematical or computational modelling of biological or physical systems, obtained through coursework, a thesis or a research project, and experience with at least one scientific programming language (e.g. Python, MATLAB, Julia, C/C++). The research will be conducted in English for which you need to demonstrate proficiency >C1 level according to CEFR. For this specific project, you will be expected to travel for 6 months to Utrecht (the Netherlands) and you may also need to travel for a secondment within ESQlabs to get exposure to modelling in an industrial setting, focusing on the pharmacological effects within bone healing. You will also need to travel for training weeks within Europe (one week at a time) and for international conferences. All travels will be covered by relevant risk assessments, and you will be supported to apply for visa where required.

Within the role, you will be expected to:

• Develop skills to deliver world-class research focussing on modelling and simulation of bone healing, including co-morbidities;
• Actively participating in all relevant project meetings and activities organised by the network;
• Work both independently and also as part of a larger team of researchers, including interacting with and providing assistance to other researchers in the research group and the EDI-MSK network, and engaging in knowledge transfer activities where appropriate;
• Contribute to joint discussions within the wider research group and network.
• Develop initiative, creativity and judgement in applying appropriate approaches to research activities;
• Ensure good day-to-day progress of work, and maintaining accurate records;
• Maintain your own continuing professional development;
• Pass progression requirements at various points during your studies and meeting all other School, Faculty and University requirements for PhD studies;
• Write results for dissemination, attending and presenting at suitable conferences and undertaking other forms of communication including to the general public;
• Adopt safe and inclusive working practices and adhering to the Health and Safety policies;

These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list. Other reasonable duties may be required consistent with the objectives of the post.

Important eligibility rules for this position:

There are no restrictions on the nationality, but:

• Applicants must, at the time of recruitment, have not yet been awarded a doctorate degree. At the time of recruitment, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (i.e. work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment under the EDI-MSK project. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not considered.

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

• A 12-month contract (1.0 FTE) with the prospect of a 3 year extension.
• A gross monthly salary between €3.204 and €4.051 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours.
• Flexible working hours, a home office allowance, and the option to work from home.
• Freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas.
• A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with.
• A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities.
• An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe.

About the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE)
At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development.  FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention.  The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS).  At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work! 

Interested?

For more information about the role, please contact Aurélie Carlier via a.carlier@maastrichtuniversity.nl or visit EDI-MSK-WEBSITE.

The deadline for submitting your application is 31 January 2027.

Interviews will take place in March-April 2027

The intended start date for this position is September-November 2027.

Apply now via the button below. We look forward to getting to know you!

About Maastricht University

At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,300 students and 5,400 employees across 5 regional locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities for yourself and the world around you. Together, we can find the answers for tomorrow.

At Maastricht University, we prefer to contact potential candidates directly. We therefore kindly ask that no agencies or intermediaries submit offers or approaches.

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.