Please note: due to interaction with Dutch participants from The Netherlands, fluency in Dutch is a must have.
Are you interested in new generation weight loss medication and how they influence the way people smell, perceive and experience food? Do you want to understand why some individuals respond differently to GLP-1 receptor agonists? This PhD position might be for you!
As part of an NWO-Vici project, Wageningen University & Research is looking for a PhD candidate to setup and conduct a prospective longitudinal study in individuals initiating GLP-1 agonist therapy. GLP-1 receptor agonist medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy have transformed weight loss treatment and are increasingly used worldwide. Despite their effectiveness in reducing food intake and weight, substantial variation exists in individual response, and we know surprisingly little about if and how these medications influence food preferences, eating behaviour and sensory perception.
The aim of this project is to assess whether such changes contribute to long-term treatment success. A collaborating postdoc will perform advanced MRI brain imaging in a subset of participants to investigate changes in the olfactory bulb and connected brain regions.
Your role in this project
You will establish and conduct a prospective longitudinal study in individuals starting with weight loss medication treatment. You will investigate how smell and taste sensitivity, food preferences, appetite and eating behaviour change over time and whether these changes are associated with weight loss outcomes and treatment adherence. The project combines sensory science, human nutrition and behavioural research and will involve close collaboration with clinical partners.
As part of your PhD trajectory, you will:
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conduct high-quality scientific research within the field of sensory science and eating behaviour;
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set up and coordinate a prospective cohort study;
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perform sensory and behavioural measurements and analyse longitudinal data;
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collaborate with academic and clinical partners;
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publish findings in international peer-reviewed journals and present your work at national and international conferences;
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supervise BSc and MSc students;
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contribute to teaching activities within the Division of Human Nutrition and Health.
Where will you work?
The project is embedded within the Sensory Science and Eating Behaviour chair group at the Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University & Research. You will work in an interdisciplinary and internationally recognized research environment with expertise in sensory science, eating behaviour, physiology and human intervention studies.
The project will be supervised by Dr. Marlou Lasschuijt and Associate Professor Sanne Boesveldt and involves collaborations with clinical partners. The preferred starting date is 1st of November 2026.
You hold a Master's degree in one of the following fields or a related discipline: Nutrition and Health, Health science or Biomedical science;
Also, you
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have a strong interest in sensory science and eating behaviour;
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enjoy working with study participants;
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are comfortable coordinating complex human longitudinal studies;
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have strong organizational and project management skills;
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good data analytical skills;
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enjoy working in multidisciplinary teams;
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have excellent communication skills in Dutch (minimum CEFR C1 level - advanced);
Please note: due to interaction with Dutch speaking participants from The Netherlands, fluency in Dutch is a must have.
For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
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Partially paid parental leave;
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working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
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there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
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a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
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excellent pension scheme.
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is €3.204,- per month rising to €4051,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.
We encourage development and internal mobility within our organization. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.
You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment.
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.
Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.
For more information about the position, please contact dr. Marlou Lasschuijt via e-mail: [email protected].
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Evelien Janssen, Corporate Recruiter, via email: [email protected].
Ready to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.
To apply, please send the following documents (max. 3 pages in total ):
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complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages);
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motivation letter (max. 1 page) in Dutch. Only letters in Dutch will be accepted and reviewed.
The maximum length of the documents must not exceed 3 pages. If it exceeds, applications will not be considered. Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered.
You can apply up to and including Monday August 31st, 2026. The first interviews are scheduled in the week of September 21st, 2026.
Additional information form
For this position, you must fill in a mandatory form which will allow us to have a comprehensive view
of your qualifications and better assess your fit for it. You can access the form using the link below:
PhD: Impact of Weight Loss Medication on Sensory Perception and Eating Behavior – Fill out form
Your prompt response will ensure that your application continues to move forward in the evaluation process. We assure you that the information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for this application process.
Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.
Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!
We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.
