PhD training program

The international character of our school is reflected by the large percentage (almost half) of foreign PhD students that contribute to CARIM’s research.

Our PhD program is accessible for graduated master students from the Master's program Molecular Life Sciences, or for excellent students from national and international biomedical or medical Masters. At the end of 2010, 104 PhD students attended our PhD program, almost 50% of which from foreign countries.

Besides our regular PhD program, we offer the EuCAR program, which is a joint initiative of CARIM and our German partner institute IMCAR in Aachen. Each PhD project is guided by at least one investigator from IMCAR, Aachen en one from CARIM, Maastricht. EuCAR students will obtain a PhD in both Aachen and Maastricht.The Euregio Cardiovascular International Research Training Group (EuCAR) builds on the unique asset of a close proximity and an extensive and complementary network of bilateral collaborations between the RWTH Aachen and Maastricht University. Fulfilling publication criteria and credit point requirements, successful graduates will receive a double degree (German Dr. rer.nat. and Dutch PhD).

Marc van Bilsen (PhD, Associate professor of Molecular Physiology) has been appointed as PhD Coordinator. The PhD Coordinator serves as a mentor for all CARIM PhD students and as a contact point for their supervisors. The PhD coordinator is also chairman of the CARIM Education Program Committee (EPC). This EPC coordinates both the PhD and Master’s programs and advises the Executive Board on all issues regarding these educational programs. Within CARIM the PhD coordinator works closely with the CARIM Office, policy advisor and scientific director.

Contact information
Marc van Bilsen, Uns 50 room 3.156
T +31 (0)43 - 388 12 04
E marc.vanbilsen@maastrichtuniversity.nl

As of Summer 2011, CARIM organizes several cardiovascular courses within one week in parallel. This so-called CARIM Course Week not only encompasses cardiovascular courses, but also includes a joint program as well as various social activities co-organized by I'MCARIM, our PhD-club. [more]

The cardiovascular PhD-training courses consist of 3 state-of-the-art courses. These are organized under auspices of and with financial support from the Netherlands Heart Foundation.

The courses address three topics, corresponding with the CARIM research themes:

• Cardiac Function and Adaptation
• Vascular Biology
• Thrombosis and Haemostasis

The courses are offered as a series over a period of 3 years (allowing you to attend one course a year). All three courses take 5 days and take place at the Papendal conference Center in Arnhem in or around October. The courses are open not only to CARIM PhD students but also to PhD students of other Dutch universities and research institutes. The courses will take place from September 30 - October 4, 2013.

For detailed information on the contents of the courses and how to apply click here.

There is more to PhD training than cardiovascular research, and Maastricht University Medical Center+ offers courses smoothening the path to your PhD thesis and a cardiovascular career. For example presenting and writing scientific English, career management and statistics. For further information about the courses, please visit maastrichtuniversity.nl.

A PhD position is often the first place of employment for many young graduates, ushering in the start of their professional careers. Based on their PhD defence, they can either continue with a career in the academic sector or a different field. During this process of career development, PhD candidates can draw on the services offered by the Staff Careers Counselling Services. [more]