As people grow older, it is of utmost importance to maintain or enhance their functional ability, i.e. the ability to meet basic needs, to be mobile, to learn, to build and maintain relationships, and to contribute to society. According to the World Health Organization, the functional ability of older adults depends on a person's intrinsic capacity and on the environment the person lives in. In the IMPROve study (Intrinsic capacity Maintenance for PROmoting healthy aging), we will develop a longitudinal score for intrinsic capacity using data of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, a cohort study in Dutch older men and women with more than 30 years of follow-up (LASA). Furthermore, we will investigate intrinsic capacity trajectories during ageing, and examine whether these trajectories predict functional ability. This project will generate important tools for the use of the WHO intrinsic capacity model in research and in clinical practice to maintain functional ability in older adults and promote healthy ageing.

About your role
The postdoc will build further on the work of a research fellow who developed a cross-sectional intrinsic capacity score in the LASA study. The postdoc will first develop a longitudinal score and then apply Growth Mixture Modelling (GMM) to define longitudinal trajectories of intrinsic capacity in men and women. Trajectories of the underlying domains (i.e. locomotion, cognition, vitality, psychology and sensory) will also be studied and related to functional ability. Different statistical packages will be used, such as R, MPlus and SPSS.

• A PhD in Medicine, Health Sciences, Medical informatics or related study;
• Able to function well both in a team as well as independently, and possess good communication skills;
• Proven experience with statistics and statistical software, such as SPSS;
• Knowledge of other statistical packages, such as R and MPlus is a plus;
• Affinity with the topic of ageing and older adults.

• A contract for 18 months;
• Salary schale 10 - 10.6: € 3.230 - € 4.177 gross at full time employment (depending on qualifications and experience) for 36 hours per week.;
• Additional benefits including an 8.3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday pay;
• Pension is accrued at the ABP. VUmc contributes a large part of the premium (70%);
• In addition to excellent accessibility by public transport, we reimburse 75% of your OV travel costs (commuting costs);
• For more information about our fringe benefits, please visit: employment conditions.

Amsterdam UMC

You will work on the Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, which offers an inspiring and professional environment both with regard to research methodologies and statistics and the functioning of older adults. You will closely collaborate with colleagues from other departments such as Health Sciences.