About your role
As a PhD student, you will contribute to the development of innovative multi-disorder genetic prediction methods in psychiatry. The positions are expected to start in the course of 2026. We are looking to recruit two PhD students for this project.
Your work focuses on integrating multiple sources for prediction, including common and rare genetic variants, family history, ancestry and typical age of onset. Your activities include:
- deriving and extending analytical statistical models;
- conducting large-scale simulation studies;
- analysing real-world genetic datasets;
- applying and extending existing prediction methods developed within the group;
- publishing scientific results and collaborating within a multidisciplinary research team.
You receive dedicated supervision and ample opportunities to further develop these skills.
You predict multiple psychiatric disorders simultaneously, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. The project builds on previously developed methods such as DDx-PRS, BPC and CC-GWAS.
About youYou are an ambitious and analytically strong researcher who enjoys working on methodological challenges. You bring:
- an MSc degree, preferably from a research master, in psychology, neuroscience, bioinformatics or a related field, candidates who will complete their Master's degree in the coming months are also warmly invited to apply.
- strong interest in statistical methods, advanced data analysis and working with large datasets;
- experience with programming in R or Python;
- affinity with scientific writing, preferably demonstrated through prior experience;
- excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
Experience with genetic analyses and an interest in psychiatry are considered advantages, but are not required.
Our offer- A flying start to your career in scientific research.
- Plenty of room for your drive to shape tomorrow's healthcare.
- Working on large-scale and in-house research, with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
- You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
- A contract for 12 months, with the intention to extend for a total of 4 years. The Guideline PhD contract applies to this vacancy.
- Salary scale OIO: € 3.108 to € 3.939 gross based on full-time employment (depending on education and experience) and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. Calculate your net salary here.
- Holiday hours: 190.4 per year for fulltime and a possibility to save additional hours.
- Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension.
- For >7 km each way, 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each way.
- Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Moreover, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.
Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
