Shaping the future of personalised mental health care
Depression affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, yet more than half of patients do not respond to standard psychotherapy. The SYNTHESIS project, led by Prof. Dr. Eirini Karyotaki at the University of Amsterdam, addresses this challenge directly. By integrating Individual Patient Data (IPD) from over 573 randomised controlled trials and combining advanced network meta-analyses with machine learning, SYNTHESIS aims to identify which psychotherapy works best for whom. As a PhD candidate in the SYNTHESIS project, you will be part of a dynamic, international research team at the University of Amsterdam, working at the forefront of the emerging fielf of Precision Psychology. Together with a fellow PhD candidate, two postdoctoral researchers, and under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Eirini Karyotaki, you will help build the world's largest individual patient data repository for psychotherapy trials and use it to answer one of the most pressing questions in mental health: which therapy works best for whom?
What are you going to do
- Conduct systematic literature searches (Metapsy, PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase) and explore AI-assisted screening tools (e.g., ASReview);
- Contact trial authors, obtain IPD, and manage data-sharing agreements;
- Harmonise and quality-check datasets into standardised, analysis-ready formats;
- Contribute to Delphi processes and conduct IPD network meta-analyses;
- Contribute to publications, dissemination, and open science practices (protocol registration, code and platform sharing).
What do you have to offer
- Research Master’s (MSc) in Clinical Psychology or related field; strong research experience required (regular MSc with publications/thesis/internships or data science/ biostatistics combined with Psychology background also considered);
- Understanding of systematic reviews and meta-analysis; IPD or network meta-analysis is a plus;
- Excellent English and academic writing skills; publications are an asset;
- Affinity with evidence synthesis and clinical research in mental health;
- Methodologically rigorous, organised, collaborative, and committed to open science.
What else do we offer you
The position concerns temporary employment of 38 hours per week for a maximum term of 4 years. The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will be extended by a maximum of 36 months, which should result in the conferral of a doctorate. We will put together a curriculum that will also include the opportunity to attend training courses and both national and international events. You will also be tasked with teaching bachelor’s students.
For this position, the University Job Classification profile “Promovendus” applies.
Your salary will be €3.059,- gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3.881,- in the final year, based on full-time employment. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
- Teaching load of 15.6% (supervision MA/BA theses and tutorial groups), offering meaningful educational experience that can strengthen your CV for an academic career;
- Excellent secondary benefits including generous leave entitlement, ABP pension, and full access to UvA facilities;
- Supervision and mentorship from an internationally recognised team, including Prof. Dr. Eirini Karyotaki and a senior postdoctoral researcher;
- Budget for attending international conferences and specialised methodological training courses;
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements are possible, though the position is not fully remote.
In this team, you will work
You will join the research group of Prof. Dr. Eirini Karyotaki within the Department of Psychology (Programme group: Clinical Psychology), Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam. The SYNTHESIS team consists of two PhD candidates, two postdoctoral researchers, and a biostatistician, all working towards the shared goal of advancing Precision Psychotherapy. You will collaborate closely with the postdoctoral researchers and benefit from regular input from a distinguished international advisory board. The team fosters an open, collegial, and international culture grounded in open science principles, with regular team meetings and an international advisory board.
Are you intrigued by questions such as why psychotherapy works for some people but not for others? The SYNTHESIS project, funded by an ERC Consolidator Grant, is seeking two motivated PhD candidates to join a groundbreaking effort to personalise psychotherapy for depression at an unprecedented scale. If you hold a Research Master's or have substantial research experience (e.g., publications, thesis work, or research internships) in clinical psychology, or a related psychology field and have a passion for rigorous research, we would love to hear from you. Candidates with a background in data science or biostatistics combined with a bachelor’s degree in psychology are also encouraged to apply.
Shaping the future of personalised mental health care
Depression affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, yet more than half of patients do not respond to standard psychotherapy. The SYNTHESIS project, led by Prof. Dr. Eirini Karyotaki at the University of Amsterdam, addresses this challenge directly. By integrating Individual Patient Data (IPD) from over 573 randomised controlled trials and combining advanced network meta-analyses with machine learning, SYNTHESIS aims to identify which psychotherapy works best for whom. As a PhD candidate in the SYNTHESIS project, you will be part of a dynamic, international research team at the University of Amsterdam, working at the forefront of the emerging fielf of Precision Psychology. Together with a fellow PhD candidate, two postdoctoral researchers, and under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Eirini Karyotaki, you will help build the world's largest individual patient data repository for psychotherapy trials and use it to answer one of the most pressing questions in mental health: which therapy works best for whom?
What are you going to do
- Conduct systematic literature searches (Metapsy, PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase) and explore AI-assisted screening tools (e.g., ASReview);
- Contact trial authors, obtain IPD, and manage data-sharing agreements;
- Harmonise and quality-check datasets into standardised, analysis-ready formats;
- Contribute to Delphi processes and conduct IPD network meta-analyses;
- Contribute to publications, dissemination, and open science practices (protocol registration, code and platform sharing).
What do you have to offer
- Research Master’s (MSc) in Clinical Psychology or related field; strong research experience required (regular MSc with publications/thesis/internships or data science/ biostatistics combined with Psychology background also considered);
- Understanding of systematic reviews and meta-analysis; IPD or network meta-analysis is a plus;
- Excellent English and academic writing skills; publications are an asset;
- Affinity with evidence synthesis and clinical research in mental health;
- Methodologically rigorous, organised, collaborative, and committed to open science.
What else do we offer you
The position concerns temporary employment of 38 hours per week for a maximum term of 4 years. The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will be extended by a maximum of 36 months, which should result in the conferral of a doctorate. We will put together a curriculum that will also include the opportunity to attend training courses and both national and international events. You will also be tasked with teaching bachelor’s students.
For this position, the University Job Classification profile “Promovendus” applies.
Your salary will be €3.059,- gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3.881,- in the final year, based on full-time employment. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
- Teaching load of 15.6% (supervision MA/BA theses and tutorial groups), offering meaningful educational experience that can strengthen your CV for an academic career;
- Excellent secondary benefits including generous leave entitlement, ABP pension, and full access to UvA facilities;
- Supervision and mentorship from an internationally recognised team, including Prof. Dr. Eirini Karyotaki and a senior postdoctoral researcher;
- Budget for attending international conferences and specialised methodological training courses;
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements are possible, though the position is not fully remote.
In this team, you will work
You will join the research group of Prof. Dr. Eirini Karyotaki within the Department of Psychology (Programme group: Clinical Psychology), Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam. The SYNTHESIS team consists of two PhD candidates, two postdoctoral researchers, and a biostatistician, all working towards the shared goal of advancing Precision Psychotherapy. You will collaborate closely with the postdoctoral researchers and benefit from regular input from a distinguished international advisory board. The team fosters an open, collegial, and international culture grounded in open science principles, with regular team meetings and an international advisory board.
Please submit your application bundled as one PDF file in English, including:
- a motivation letter describing your research interests and how your profile fits this position (max. 1 page);
- a full CV;
- a copy of your Master's thesis or a relevant writing sample;
- contact details of two academic referees.
The closing date for applications is 3 June 2026. Preselected candidates will be invited for an interview, expected to take place in the end of June-beginning of July. The position starts on 1 September 2026. Apply via the UvA vacancy portal. For questions, contact Prof. Dr. Eirini Karyotaki (e.karyotaki@uva.nl). In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be given preference.
