The candidate will do statistical research on model-based clustering of development with Finite Mixture Models. These models provide a relatively new, accessible, and visually appealing perspective into complex (multivariate) longitudinal data. Its growing number of adepts in health research is due to the model’s capability of uncovering hidden process heterogeneity in the developmental data, a necessary pre-requisite in the age of Precision Medicine. This research project aims at identifying and exploring current theoretical and statistical controversies of these models, with focus on longitudinal multivariate settings, which are to date largely underexplored. Through simulations and real data applications, the project will lead to strategies, best practice guidelines and web-applications for easier handling and proper understanding of this methodology.

• Graduated with a MSc in Statistics, Psychometrics, Biometrics, Econometrics or similar
• Good mathematical and computer programming skills
• Good writing and expressional skills in the English language

Fixed-term contract: 4 years (evaluation after each year).

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees

We offer a full-time position (38 hours/week) with the Maastricht University at the Department Methodology of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, School CAPHRI .

Temporary employment for 4 years. Your salary would be € 2.222,-- gross per month in the first year up to € 2.840,-- gross per month in the fourth year according to the PhD-student salary scale. Each year an evaluation will take place.

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 16,500 students and 4,000 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

Department Methodology and Statistics

The Department of your place of employment is the Department of Methodology and Statistics of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML) of the Maastricht University Medical Center, in Maastricht, the Netherlands. This Department works closely together with the dept. of Methodology and Statistics of the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience (FPN) under a common leadership. Together, these two departments consists of 20 staff members from PhD student to Professor, and provide the statistics education in five different Bachelor programs and various master and PhD courses in the two aforementioned faculties. The research is mainly carried out within the School CAPHRI and concentrates on two themes: Optimal design and sample sizes, and multilevel/mixed models. Further, the Department offers statistical consulting and advanced data analyses to researchers from other departments.