PhD Candidate Bigdata4change: improving PTSD treatment

As a PhD candidate, you will carry out the project under the guidance of experienced researchers and in close collaboration with national and international partners.

• You will build an international dataset using session data from trauma-focused PTSD treatments, in collaboration with research and treatment centers at home and abroad;
• You will analyze this data using advanced longitudinal and dynamic models to investigate which treatment processes precede changes in PTSD symptoms;
• You will investigate for which patients and under which circumstances the mechanisms are more or less relevant;
• You will develop and validate machine learning-based models to predict treatment outcomes and potential deterioration early in the treatment trajectory;
• You will set up and conduct a randomized clinical trial in which regular Prolonged Exposure (PE) is compared with a variant in which effective treatment processes are specifically reinforced;
• You will collaborate with clinicians, researchers, and experts by experience in the development, execution, and interpretation of the research;
• You will publish in international scientific journals, present your work at conferences, and contribute to the translation of findings into clinical practice.

What do you bring?

Curiosity, drive, and meticulousness characterize you. You have a demonstrable interest in the subject and enjoy working at the intersection of clinical practice and data science. Additionally, you have an affinity for clinical research, for example, with studies on psychotherapy, data collection, or working with treatment data. You work accurately, methodically, and independently, while simultaneously proactively seeking collaboration. In contact with participants, clinicians, experts by experience, and research partners, you communicate sensitively and professionally.

Furthermore, you bring the following:

• You have a completed master's degree in psychology, health sciences, biomedical sciences, epidemiology, data science, or another relevant discipline. A research master's is a plus;
• You have experience with statistical analyses and are motivated to further develop your skills in longitudinal analysis methods, dynamic models, and machine learning techniques;
• Experience with R, Python, or similar software is a plus;
• You have a good command of the Dutch language, as you will be in contact with participants and clinicians in the clinical study. Furthermore, you have an excellent command of English for international collaboration and scientific publications.

What do we offer you?

We offer you a versatile PhD trajectory in which you combine analytically advanced and practice-oriented research, laying a solid foundation for a career in clinical science.

• You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
• A contract for a duration of 12 months, with the intention to extend to a total of four years. The PhD Candidate Directive applies to this vacancy.
• Classification in salary scale OIO: € 3,217 to € 4,077 gross for full-time employment (depending on experience). Additionally, you will receive an 8.3% end-of-year bonus. Calculate your net salary here.
• Vacation hours: 194.4 hours per year for a full-time employment and the possibility to save up hours.
• 100% public transport reimbursement. Do you come by walking, cycling, or by car? Then you will receive a reimbursement of €0.21 per km (for the car, a maximum of 40 km one way applies).
• Do you come by bike? Make use of our good bicycle scheme.
• Pension accrual at BeFrank, a modern, understandable, and fairly priced pension.

Watch this video for more information about employment at Amsterdam UMC Research BV.