Are You a Researcher? Combine Patient Care With A PhD Trajectory Towards The Optimal Protein Strategy In Obesity Treatment.

Treatments for overweight and obesity using both medication and surgery lead to substantial weight loss, but this is also accompanied by loss of muscle mass. Preserving muscle mass is essential for health, functioning, and recovery. An optimal protein intake plays an important role here, but it is not yet sufficiently known which type of protein offers the best absorption and support.

That is the central question of this PhD trajectory within a joint research project by the Human Physiology group at Radboudumc, the Dutch Obesity Clinic (NOK), and FrieslandCampina. We are looking for a BIG-registered physician who wants to combine clinical work with a 3.5-year PhD trajectory.

What will you do?
Research - 24 hours per week

As a researcher, you will study the absorption of different proteins. In doing so, you will focus on, among other things:

· The differences between people treated with medication and people treated with surgery;

· The differences before and after the start of medication;

· The degree of muscle mass loss and effects on muscle function.

The research takes place in Nieuwegein, Velp, and Nijmegen.

As a physician at NOK, you will guide patients being treated with bariatric surgery or medication. In doing so, you will work closely with coaches and other members of the multidisciplinary treatment team. You are responsible, among other things, for medical check-ups, assessment of the treatment, and medical guidance throughout the treatment process. Your clinical activities take place at our location in Nieuwegein.

Who are we looking for?

You are an ambitious and enthusiastic physician who wants to delve into nutrition and health for 3.5 years. You are proactive, independent, and have perseverance. Furthermore, you have scientific ambitions in medical research in the field of lifestyle and health.

In addition, you have:

· A completed university master's degree in Medicine (physician).

· Scientific ambitions in medical research at the intersection of physiology, lifestyle issues, and obesity problems.

· You have strong organizational and interpersonal skills.

· Affinity and experience with setting up and conducting human-based research.

• An employment contract at NOK for the duration of the research project of 3.5 years with the possibility of extension

• An appointment of 40 hours per week: 24 hours research and 16 hours clinical work

• Workplaces in Nieuwegein, Velp, and Nijmegen

• Salary in accordance with CAO ZKN: FWG 65 for your duties as a physician, FWG 45 for your duties as a researcher, with scaling based on knowledge and experience

• Scientific supervision from the research group of prof. dr. Maria Hopman within Radboudumc and from the NOK (dr. Valerie Monpellier)

• Collaboration with other PhD candidates and researchers within NOK and Radboudumc

• A fixed 13th month and access to the training offerings via the NOK Academy

The Dutch Obesity Clinic (NOK) is the largest and most specialized independent clinic in the Netherlands for the treatment of people with overweight and obesity. For more than 30 years, we have been treating patients at 11 locations. We offer both metabolic bariatric surgery as well as medicinal treatment in combination with lifestyle guidance and within multidisciplinary teams.

The Physiology department (MBS, Radboudumc) is a vibrant department where research and education are central. The research consists mainly of human/patient-based research in which movement and nutrition in relation to health and (chronic) diseases are central. The research focuses on primary and secondary prevention through movement and nutrition. You will work in a multidisciplinary team and become part of a large group of enthusiastic PhD candidates from the Physiology section of the Medical Bioscience department.

Become enthusiastic?

Do you have questions about this position? Please contact dr. Valerie Monpellier, research coordinator, via vmonpellier@obesitaskliniek.nl or apply directly by uploading your CV and motivation letter addressed to our HR advisor Dominique de Nooij.