Behavioural Modelling for Zoonotic Outbreak Preparedness

Do you want to work with farmers, veterinarians, policymakers, and researchers across different institutes? Join us as a PhD candidate! In the face of zoonotic threats, human behaviour is a key factor determining the success of early detection. Currently, infectious disease models often overlook the nuances of stakeholder behaviour, such as a farmer’s willingness to report a sick animal or the communication barriers between veterinarians and authorities.

Your job
In this ZonMW-funded project, you will work with stakeholders to develop a conceptual framework that integrates social and behavioural drivers with epidemiological concepts. Together with mathematical modellers, you will translate this framework into a mathematical model, which will be parameterised, validated, and refined through stakeholder input and behavioural research.

The model will be used to evaluate different intervention strategies aimed at the early detection of a hypothetical zoonotic swine influenza outbreak in the Netherlands. The project will provide tools to refine intervention planning by considering both human behaviour and disease dynamics, thereby contributing to improved outbreak preparedness. The participatory approach enhances stakeholder engagement, trust, and ownership of outcomes.

Your key responsibilities are:

• Organise and facilitate participatory research groups with pig farmers, veterinarians, and government officials to identify behavioural drivers and barriers to early reporting.
• Develop, together with the participatory research groups, a conceptual and mathematical framework that integrates social-behavioural variables into epidemiological models.
• Simulate and quantify the impact of interventions, such as increasing risk awareness and improving communication channels.
• Act as a liaison between the collaborating institutes (UU, WUR, WBVR, and RIVM) to ensure the model is parameterised using the best available data and aligned with national policy needs.

This project offers an opportunity to work at the heart of the Dutch "One Health" landscape. While primarily based at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University (Veterinary Epidemiology group), you will collaborate closely with experts from Wageningen University (‘Health and Society’ and ‘Business Economics’ departments), Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (Epidemiology group), and RIVM (Department of Behaviour and Health). This multi-institutional environment ensures that your research is grounded in the best available epidemiological, behavioural, and modelling expertise.

• A completed MSc in behavioural science, social science, health psychology, or a related field. Candidates with an MSc in veterinary medicine or animal sciences and a proven affinity for social science methods are also encouraged to apply.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• A curious, proactive, structured, and well-organised working style.
• Willingness to work in an international environment, strong command of English, and the ability to work with stakeholders in Dutch.

Besides that, you either possess the following competencies, or you have the motivation to develop these:

Interdisciplinary Synthesis: The ability to work across academic disciplines. In this project, you will bridge the gap between “soft” behavioural data and “hard” epidemiological modelling, and you will learn to translate psychological drivers (such as risk perception) into parameters for mathematical equations.

Stakeholder Engagement and Qualitative Skills: Excellence in participatory research methods. You are, or are eager to become, a skilled interviewer capable of building rapport with diverse stakeholders, from livestock farmers in the field to policymakers in government offices — preferably in their native language (Dutch).

Quantitative Skills: An affinity with quantitative methods, mathematical modelling, simulation, or data analysis. Experience with tools such as R or Python for modelling is an advantage.

Resilience and Scientific Creativity: The drive to pioneer a new framework where existing models fall short. You are comfortable with ambiguity and enjoy the challenge of integrating different fields of study.

• A position for 12 months, with extension to a total of four years upon positive evaluation;
• a working week of 32 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3.059 and €3.881 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P 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 also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. 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.

At the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine we train the veterinarians and researchers of the future, provide care for animals and conduct leading and societal relevant research. That is what we are good at. We see that the health and welfare of animals, humans and the environment are interconnected. By sharing our knowledge and working together, we make positive impact, both nationally and internationally. Our 1,500 students and 950 staff members inspire and strengthen each other. Our engagement connects us. The drive to, from an integral perspective, make the world a better place. Within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, the Veterinary Epidemiology group consists of multiple disciplines (epidemiologists, economists, statisticians) that study how diseases affect animal populations and develop data-driven solutions to improve the health of farm animals.

For more information, please contact Dr E.A.J. Fischer at e.a.j.fischer@uu.nl

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.