The mathematical formula for our state of being reads rather simple: genes plus environment equals our health score. We’ve sequenced our genes to identify the genetic component of disease, but the environment (including lifestyle, social determinants and pollution) remains the biggest unknown part of our health equation. In several projects we are trying to elucidate these unknown factors by combining different data streams from sensors, wearables, questionnaires, dietary assessments, biological measurements and geospatial data to comprehensively characterize environmental factors (collectively called the exposome) and link these to (intermediate) health outcomes.

We are offering a postdoctoral position embedded in the large national Exposome-NL research programme. The Exposome-NL programme is dedicated to assess the impact of the exposome drivers of cardiometabolic health. The candidate will work on a panel study focused on deep phenotyping of the exposome, nested case-control studies on stroke, acute-myocardial infarction, and Type-2 diabetes with detailed data on the internal exposome (LC- and GC-MSMS untargetted screens), metabolomics, and longitudinal cohort studies to study the impact of the exposome on health. The candidate will also be involved in designing the studies and in data-analysis.

We are looking for an ambitious (senior) postdoc. To excel in your role, you have:

• a PhD in (computational) epidemiology, Applied Data Science, biostatistics, (medical) statistics, or a related discipline;
• affinity with complex data-analyses, including high-dimensional analyses, causal-inference, bio-informatics;
• strong programming skills;
• excellent organizational and communication skills (written and spoken);
• a strong motivation to work in a multidisciplinary international research

Candidates with the following skills are especially encouraged to apply:

• experience in epidemiological/statistical analyses with R;
• familiarity with GIS or any other type of geospatial data use, and in setting up large-scale

Your qualities include being motivated, communicative and resourceful, you are an effective independent worker and a collaborative team member with an appropriate publication record.

This is an appointment of 0.8-1.0 FTE for the duration of 4 years. with an initial 1 year contract. The minimum gross salary is €2,960 and the maximum gross salary is €5,439 (scale 10-11 of the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities) per month, at a full-time employment. Besides that, you will receive a holiday allowance of 8 % and a year-end bonus of 8.3 %.

Utrecht University also has an appealing package of terms of employment, including the choice for a good balance between work and private (a good arrangement for leave, among other things), possibilities for development and an excellent pension scheme. For more information please visit working at Utrecht University.

In addition, we offer an exciting opportunity to contribute to an ambitious and international research programme with highly motivated students and to conduct your own research project at a renowned research university. You will receive appropriate training, personal supervision, and guidance for your research.

 

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has a unique position in the Netherlands. Not only is this the only institution where veterinarians are trained, researchers are also working together on innovative scientific research. In addition, the faculty provides specialist clinical care in the largest academic veterinary hospital in Europe. Thanks to this position, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is a point of contact for all veterinary matters, both nationally and increasingly internationally. The faculty employs approximately 900 veterinarians, scientists and support staff and counts 1.500 students. It is located at Utrecht Science Park in the Androclus building near the historical city centre of Utrecht.