PhD in Environmental Determinants of Obesity and Vulnerability Mapping

Obesity is influenced by factors at individual, neighbourhood, municipal, and national levels, yet there is no clear framework to assess vulnerability within obesogenic environments. For example, people in the same neighbourhood may differ in their ability to access healthy food or sports facilities due to financial resources.

This PhD project addresses this gap by developing a conceptual framework and a vulnerability index for obesogenic environments in the Netherlands, with potential to scale to Europe.

You will start with a scoping review to define vulnerability, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity, and map determinants across micro-, meso-, and macro-levels. Based on this, you will develop an index that integrates indicators on food and physical activity environments, socioeconomic factors, and policies, using statistical modelling and composite indicator methods.

You will be based at the Department of Epidemiology and Data Science at Amsterdam UMC and collaborate within two Horizon Europe research consortia.

Would you like to know more about the different phases within the PhD trajectory? You can read more about this on this page.

As a PhD candidate, you will build upon earlier work on obesogenic environment both conceptually and technically. The current framework focuses purely on the built environment, but can be expanded to include other environments through the vulnerability framework. While the main application of the index is the Netherlands, it is foreseen to also scale up the index to the European level.

Your main tasks include:

• Developing a conceptual framework for obesogenic environment vulnerability through a structured scoping review.
• Identifying and classifying components of vulnerability, including exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity.
• Mapping determinants across micro-, meso-, and macro-levels.
• Exploring composite indicator methodologies, in collaboration with field experts.
• Contributing to broader research on environmental determinants of health and vulnerability mapping.
• Publishing results in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Writing and defending your PhD thesis at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

You are an analytically strong and conceptually curious researcher who enjoys working across disciplines. You bring:

• A completed MSc degree in environmental science, sustainability science, public health, geography, economics, or a related field.
• Strong modelling and programming skills, preferably in R (experience with Python or similar languages is a plus).
• Knowledge of statistical methods such as dimension reduction and regression techniques.
• Interest in composite indicator development (experience with COIN/COINr is an advantage).
• A clear motivation to work on environmental health, vulnerability assessment, or sustainability research.
• Excellent communication skills and a strong command of English.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.

Since the project is expected to start around May/June, candidates who are already based in Europe or able to start on short notice are preferred. However, we welcome all international applicants. If you are excited by the idea of shaping a new conceptual field and developing a national-level vulnerability index with real policy relevance, we look forward to your application.

• A flying start to your career in scientific research.
• Plenty of room for your drive to shape tomorrow's healthcare.
• Working on large-scale and in-house research, with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
• You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
• A contract for 12 months, with the intention to extend for a total of 4 years. The Guideline PhD contract applies to this vacancy.
• Classification in salary scale OIO: € 3.108 to € 3.939 gross for full-time employment (depending on experience). In addition to a good basic salary, we offer 8.3% end-of-year bonus. Calculate your net salary here. As of 1 July 2026, the salary will be increased by 3.5% in accordance with the collective labor agreement (CAO UMC).
• Holiday hours: 190.4 per year for fulltime and a possibility to save additional hours.
• Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension.
• For >7 km each way, 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each way.
• Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Moreover, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.

Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.

Amsterdam UMC Research BV supports non-profit scientific research. In doing so, we provide researchers with everything they need to excel. Our principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders offer support in the field of project management, finance and human resources. In medical scientific research projects, legal support is also provided.

Watch the video to find out more.

Please apply by submitting your CV and a motivation letter describing your motivation and relevant qualifications for this position.

During the publication period, applications will be handled continuously. If the vacancy is filled, it will be closed prematurely.

If you have any questions about this position, please feel free to contact Thao Lam at t.m.lam@amsterdamumc.nl.

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Chey Edwards, recruitment advisor, at c.i.edwards@amsterdamumc.nl or on (+31)20 566 0304.

A reference check, screening and hiring assessment may be part of the procedure. Read here whether that applies to you. If you join us, we ask you for a VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct).

Internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates in case of equal suitability.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be considered.