Associate Professor / Group Lead in Exposome Research and Data Science

We are looking for an outstanding researcher to lead and expand the Data Science and Exposome Research Group at Utrecht University’s Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS).

Are you excited by the challenge of leading the way in cutting-edge research that deciphers the complex web of environmental exposures and their impact on human biology? If so, this is an exceptional opportunity for you.

Your job
You play a pivotal role in bridging data science with epidemiology, and exposome research, leveraging big data, advanced analytics, and machine learning to untangle how environmental exposures shape our health and well-being over a lifetime. We are open to exploring a pathway to full professorship.

This position is about more than excellent research alone: it’s also about team science, innovation, and impact:

• You will lead and grow a dynamic and international team of PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers, shaping the next generation of exposome scientists.
• You will initiate and supervise sophisticated statistical and epidemiological analyses, integrating data from geospatial external exposome models and lifestyle factors, high-resolution mass spectrometry (Exposome-scan), metabolomics, and other multi-omics approaches.
• You will be at the forefront of high-dimensional and comlex data analysis, developing and critically evaluating novel methods to improve interpretation of high-dimensional exposome data.
• You will play a key role in high-profile European and national projects, including STAGE (Exposome and multi-morbidity), DISCERN (Exposome and early onset cancer), IHEN (International Human Exposome Network), Escalation (Pan-cancer screening and exposome risk scores).
• You will secure research funding, driving forward the work that transforms how we understand environmental health.
• You will contribute to teaching of exposome science, data science and molecular epidemiology.
• You will collaborate with leading scientists, forging new partnerships across disciplines and institutions worldwide.

Why should you join us?

• You are at the forefront of exposome science and contribute to a groundbreaking field that’s redefining how we study environmental and public health.
• You find yourself in a world-class research environment. Utrecht University, and IRAS in particular, offers a dynamic, international, and supportive scientific community.
• You work with state-of-the-art exposomics, metabolomics, and AI-driven analytics.
• You make a difference by helping shape policies, interventions, and solutions for a healthier planet.

You are a motivated and skilled researcher with a strong background in data science, epidemiology, or a related field. You thrive in multidisciplinary collaborations in an international environment, enjoy solving complex analytical challenges, and are committed to advancing exposome science. You believe in open, reproducible research with FAIR principles and you are eager to contribute to innovative scientific developments. Besides that, you have multiple of the following qualifications:

• a PhD in data science, (medical) statistics, quantitative epidemiology, biology, or a related discipline;
• expertise in epidemiology, big data, machine learning, exposomics, or statistical modelling;
• proficiency in R, Python, or similar programming languages for data analysis;
• experience in environmental health, exposome research, or multi-omics integration (especially metabolomics);
• the ability to lead research teams, mentor students, and build collaborations;
• a track record of securing research funding and contributing to innovative scientific advancements;
• excellent scientific writing and presentation skills.

• An employment contract for 12 months, with the prospect of a permanent employment contract upon satisfactory performance;
• a working week of 32 to 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €6,286 and €7,651 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 13 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

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 strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Your position will be based at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), within the research line One Health Chemical, led by Professor Roel Vermeulen. This research line consists of three interconnected groups: Occupational Health, Planetary Health, and the Data Science & Exposome Group.

Our mission is to advance education and cutting-edge research to unravel the complex interactions between environmental factors—including chemical, social, physical-chemical, and lifestyle risk factors—and their effects on human and planetary health. By integrating multiple disciplines, we aim to transform scientific knowledge into actionable tools, insights, and solutions that promote sustainable well-being for individuals, communities, and ecosystems.

IRAS is an interfaculty research institute spanning the Faculties of Veterinary Medicine and Medicine. It is dedicated to education and research on the human and environmental health risks associated with exposure to potentially harmful agents. Our research is structured around three core domains: Toxicology, Environmental Epidemiology, and Veterinary Public Health.

For more information, please contact Professor Roel Vermeulen at r.c.h.vermeulen@uu.nl.

Note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. This will be arranged with help of the International Service Desk (ISD) of our university. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. Unfortunately, we must warn that it is a tight market at the moment. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.