Clinical PhD Cardiovascular coupling between mother and fetus

Tertiary maternity care at Máxima Medical Center (Máxima MC) is a highly specialized care discipline in which highly pregnant women are closely monitored due to a serious threat of preterm birth or pregnancy-related pathology. Because complications around delivery significantly impact the rest of the lives of mothers and newborns, it is crucial that they receive the best possible fetomaternal monitoring during this period so that timely intervention can be made. Máxima MC is committed to the continuous improvement of this tertiary maternity care.

Late pregnancy loss has been shown to be associated with both abnormal development of the fetal cardiovascular system (fCFS) and the placenta. The maternal cardiovascular system (mCFS) must adapt to allow for proper placental development, creating an effective interface between mother and child. Maladaptation is often observed in pregnancy complications. However, how this maladaptation leads to pregnancy-related cardiovascular complications has not yet been adequately investigated. The MAPPING project involves a comprehensive investigation of the link between mCFS and fCFS, ultimately aiming to improve clinical outcomes after pregnancy.

The research will be conducted at the Obstetric High Care (OHC) department of the Máxima MC . The PhD candidate will conduct a comprehensive study on the coupling between the cardiovascular systems of mother and fetus during pregnancy. To achieve this, the candidate will conduct a clinical study to collect synchronized clinical data, using traditional methods such as Doppler ultrasound and innovative electrophysiological measurements such as maternal-fetal electrocardiography (ECG) and electrohysterography (EHG). Work will also be done on visualizing the data insights so that these so-called “coupling maps” can ultimately be used in clinical practice to better map the individual coupling between mother and child. These will then serve as future guidelines for the chosen care pathway.

Activities

• Developing a clinical protocol for electrophysiological and ultrasound data collection, with the candidate responsible for study design and conduct. Specifically, the candidate will write the documentation for ethical approval (METC) and conduct the clinical study and data collection. This includes Doppler ultrasound and fetal heart rate measurements.
• Interpreting the study results regarding cardiovascular coupling at different gestational ages and in abnormalities. Coupling maps are derived from this from a physiological perspective, based on existing knowledge of cardiovascular coupling and disease patterns.
• Defining the best graphical representation of cardiovascular coupling for clinical interpretation by obstetricians, gynecologists, and clinicians. The candidate will do this by discussing possible options with a group of Dutch experts using qualitative research methods.

The results of the scientific work will form the basis for an academic dissertation.

The candidate will contribute to the ‘MAPPING’ project, funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). This project involves collaboration with Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), and the team includes clinicians and engineers from both Veldhoven and Eindhoven locations.

Job requirements

We are looking for candidates who meet the following profile:

• Master’s degree in medicine or technical medicine.
• Strong interest in clinical research.
• Team player mentality, interested in collaborating with different teams.
• High motivation and creativity, accurate and structured.
• Good Dutch communication and organizational skills for the clinical context.
• Excellent English language skills (writing and presentation).

Working conditions

We offer a temporary, four-year position in a research group with an excellent reputation. The salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities, including:

• This is a full-time, four-year appointment, with an interim evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will devote 10% of your time to teaching duties.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. €2,901 max. €3,707).
• An end-of-year bonus of 8.3% and annual holiday pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to help you develop into a confident, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e, we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, childcare on campus and sports facilities.
• Compensation for commuting, working from home, and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% scheme) for international candidates.

Information and application

Information

For more information about the project and informal inquiries, please contact Prof. M. Mischi ( m.mischi@ tue.nl ) or J. van Laar ( judith.van.laar@ mmc.nl ) or B. van der Hout ( mbvdhout@ tue.nl ).

For questions about the  application process  or  employment conditions , please contact HR ( hrservices.flux@ tue.nl ).

Curious? Visit  www.tue.nl/jobs  to find out more about working at TU/e.

Application

If you’re interested, please use the “apply now” button at the top of this page. You’ll need to upload the following:

• a letter of motivation in which you explain your motivation and suitability for the position;
• a detailed Curriculum Vitae (including English language proficiency, nationality, visa requirements, date of birth as well as programming skills, overview of experience, publication list (if any), and main achievements in research project(s));
• contact details of two academic references;
• copies of diplomas with transcripts;

All these documents are mandatory. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Candidates are selected based on graduation rates and university proficiency, including consideration of the university’s reputation, relevant experience and skills, writing skills and publications, work experience, and performance during interviews.

Please note that you can only upload 5 documents of maximum 2 MB each.

Reference number: 2025/256