In this position, you will execute and co-manage a project aimed at developing novel and advanced outbreak detection methods, to support accurate and timely detection of possible transmission of micro-organisms between patients, including highly resistant micro-organisms (HRMO). In the second phase of the project, you will develop machine learning methods to support outbreak investigations. Data from electronic health records will be leveraged to identify possible transmissions routes between patients using advanced data science techniques. This project is supported through public-private partnership funding and has a strong focus on implementation in practice. With the outcome of this project we aim to improve the surveillance in our hospital and facilitate rapid identification of transmission links, thereby improving patient safety. The total project duration will be 2-2.5 years.

This project aligns with the UMC Utrecht's strategy to strengthen data science and eHealth technology, and we will benefit from recently developed tools and expertise to support the development of valuable data science products.

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Has demonstrable experience in data science techniques, including machine learning, or infectious disease modelling (preferably PhD level);
• Has experience within the healthcare or hospital setting, preferably in infectious diseases;
• Has experience in or is willing to gain experience in infection control;
• Has some (software) project management experience;
• Has experience or affinity with data quality standards and interoperability;
• Enjoys multidisciplinary collaboration;
• Is proficient in the Dutch language.

The maximum salary for this position (32 - 36 hours) is € 5.088,00 gross per month based on full-time employment.

In addition, we offer an annual benefit of 8.3%, holiday allowance, travel expenses and career opportunities. The terms of employment are in accordance with the Cao University Medical Centers (UMC).

The department of medical microbiology and infection control provides full microbiology and infection control services to the University Medical Centre Utrecht and affiliated hospitals, including the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology. We provide diagnostic and consultation services, and harbour several research groups on bacterial and viral infections. We develop state-of-the-art automated surveillance methods for healthcare-associated infections and have the ambition to further deploy data science application within our department. We have a long-lasting collaboration with the Infectious disease epidemiology research group in the Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care. This project is in collaboration with the UPOD group and a software development company involved as a private partner. The UPOD database, located in the Central Diagnostic Department, consists of routine care data and its young and vibrant research group harbours data scientists and data managers to leverage these data for projects like DAIDALuS in a multidisciplinary fashion.