PhD position BIO-COMPaSS Project

We are seeking a motivated PhD candidate with a strong interest in ageing research, with solid programming skills and demonstrated experience in the analysis of large-scale omics data. 

• MSc-degree (research master) in a relevant field (e.g., Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Statistics, Bioinformatics, Data Science, Biomedical Sciences, Genes in Behaviour and Health, Behavioural Genetics)

• Coursework in: Programming, Omics data (genomics, epigenomics, metabolomics), Advanced statistics, Causal inference

• Affinity with ageing and biomarker research

• Solid programming skills in statistical software (e.g., R)

• Demonstrated experience in analysing high-dimensional OMICs data (e.g., DNA methylation data)

• Experience with the analysis of twin and family data  is strongly preferred

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a team member

• Interested to interact with research participants (e.g., inviting them for follow-up studies)

• Experience with research data collection and participant contact is highly valued

• Because our participants are Dutch-speaking, a Dutch-speaking candidate is preferred

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of € 3.059,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.881,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment
• an employment contract of initially 1 year. If there is sufficient perspective, this will be extended to a total of 4 years. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and arrangements. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• group insured for partial disability with employer contribution of 50% of the premium
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

About the project
BIO-COMPaSS (BIOlogical age-driven, COMmunal, Personalised System for Sustainable health promotion) aims to motivate people to adopt a healthier lifestyle by making them aware of their biological age - a measure that often says more about health than the number of calendar years.  BIO-COMPaSS focuses on developing personalised exercise and nutrition programmes that actually get people moving. The close collaboration between citizens, scientists and companies is unique. The project aims to reduce the biological age of participants by an average of five years.  The approach offers the prospect of a future in which prevention and personal health play a central role in the healthcare system. The project is funded through the Netherlands Science Agenda (NWA) program. 

About the department

At the department Biological Psychology of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam we conduct research and education on the causes of individual differences in health behaviours and disease outcomes using the Netherlands Twin Register as a main resource. It is a department with a long tradition in behavioural research where enthusiastic and ambitious academics work on generating knowledge and translating this to improvements in health and wellbeing. Our research on the role of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors belongs to the international top. For the BIO-COMPaSS project, there is a close connection with researchers from other universities and UMCs across the Netherlands, including the UMCG, Amsterdam UMC, and Maastricht University.

Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences
Developing knowledge for an active, healthy and meaningful life: that is our mission at the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences at VU Amsterdam. We maintain a broad focus on the fields of behaviour and health. Our teaching and research programmes are devoted to current developments in society. From healthy aging to e-health, and from training top athletes to social media as a teaching tool. We combine three academic disciplines: psychology, movement sciences and education. A multidisciplinary approach allows us to arrive at a better understanding of human behaviour and movement. Our aims are to help people live healthier lives, learn better and function better.

Are you interested in joining Behavioural and Movement Sciences? You are the kind of person who feels at home working in an ambitious faculty, with an informal atmosphere and short lines of communication. We offer you all the space you need for personal development. Together with your 630 colleagues, you will take care of about 4,200 students.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility.  Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.