PhD student NUTRIMIND

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join NUTRIMIND, a Horizon-funded, multi-disciplinary project investigating how diet and the microbiota-gut-brain axis shape mental health across the lifespan. In collaboration with leading universities, research institutes, NGOs, and SMEs across Europe, you will help unravel diet-linked risk signatures for depression, anxiety, and stress, and translate these insights into practical strategies for prevention and care. The project involves several work packages; Wageningen University leads those on dietary exposures and mental health outcomes in existing studies. Studies include Wageningen Student Cohort, FINGER-NL, HELI, COMBI, PRECODE, as well as cohorts from the United Kingdom, Spain, and other countries.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with partner institutes to standardize methods and contribute to data harmonization across study sites.
• Manage and analyse complex datasets related to diet, gut microbiome, and mental health.
• Contribute to work package deliverables and consortium meetings.

Where you will work

You will be embedded within the chair groups of Global Nutrition (Professor Alida Melse-Boonstra), Nutritional Biology (Dr Yannick Vermeiren), and Nutrition and Disease (Dr Renate Winkels), at the Wageningen University Division of Human Nutrition and Health. The NUTRIMIND consortium comprises 16 European partners. You will be co-supervised by Dr Melse-Boonstra, Dr Vermeiren, and Dr Winkels.

Requirements

• Interest in contributing to research on nutrition, mental health, and the gut microbiome.
• Excellent project and data management skills; experience with working with complex datasets is preferred.
• Strong communication skills and a positive mindset towards cooperative problem-solving.
• Command of English at C1 level; an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in English may be required.

What we offer

• A fully funded PhD position with a salary of €3,059 per month in the first year, rising to €3,881 in the fourth year (scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, CAO-NU), based on a 38-hour full-time week.
• A temporary contract for 18 months, extended for the project duration upon good performance.
• Excellent pension scheme and a tailored course programme.
• An international, open working environment on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands.
• Support for international employees: assistance with visa applications (including for family), housing, banking, dual career programmes, and schooling. Certain categories of international staff may qualify for a tax exemption on part of their salary for the first five years.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted via the Wageningen University & Research vacancy website. Only applications submitted through the official system will be considered. Please prepare the following documents (maximum 3 pages total):

• A motivation letter.

Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required at this stage and will not be considered. You must also complete a mandatory additional information form to allow comprehensive assessment of your qualifications. The form will be made available during the application process. Please submit your application by 27 July 2026.

For more information about the position, contact Dr Alida Melse ([email protected]). For procedural questions, contact Rutger Voorrips ([email protected]).

Original vacancy