Postdoc in infectious disease modelling

The GRIFFINS Project is a joint initiative of GGD Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, and the Amsterdam Health & Technology Institute (AHTI). This 1-year project aims to develop a dynamic, responsive surveillance framework by integrating high-resolution demographic data, clinical and diagnostic information from hospitals, pathogen genomic data, and epidemiological data. Using these data sources, the project will adapt and refine a predictive agent-based model to simulate the spread and burden of infectious diseases, identify transmission hotspots, and inform public health interventions. The GRIFFINS framework addresses the need for a cohesive, real-time, data-driven approach to epidemic preparedness and response.

As a Postdoctoral Infectious Disease Modeler, you will play a key role in adapting and validating an agent-based model to better understand and predict infectious disease dynamics. You will have the opportunity to work at the intersection of epidemiology, clinical medicine, and data science, leveraging one of the most comprehensive health and demographic data sources in the Netherlands.

You will:

• Develop, validate, and refine an agent-based model of infectious disease spread using retrospective and up-to-date clinical, demographic, and genomic data;
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of epidemiologists, data scientists, and healthcare professionals to integrate complex datasets;
• Use the model to identify transmission hotspots, predict high-risk populations, estimate disease burden, and simulate various outbreak scenarios;
• Design and implement protocols for linking hospital-based Electronic Patient Records (EPIC) and Laboratory Information Systems (LIMS) data to high-resolution demographic data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS);
• Develop and iterate workflows for the continuous integration of new data sources to ensure real-time model updates;
• Communicate findings to public health stakeholders and support strategic decision-making for infectious disease control.

Key qualifications and required skills:

• Doctoral degree in infectious disease modelling, biomathematics, biostatistics, computational biology, or any other relevant quantitative background;
• Strong programming proficiency (Python, R and/or C/C++);
• Experience in ODE/PDE, stochastic process and/or agent-based modelling;
• Preferably with expertise in respiratory infectious disease and public health modelling;
• Experience working with large-scale datasets, data integration, and data management;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with an ability to translate complex data into actionable insights;
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.

Moreover, preferred skills for this position are:

• Experience with agent-based modeling in infectious disease epidemiology;
• Background in public health or health data science;
• Familiarity with pathogen surveillanc and knowledge of Dutch public health systems and data management regulations (CBS experience is a plus).

• 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.
• The chance to work on a high-impact project that combines cutting-edge modeling with real-world applications in epidemic response.
• You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
• A contract for 12 months (extension possible, subject to funding) with Amsterdam UMC Research bv.
• Salary scale 10: € 3.493 to € 5.504 gross per month based on full-time employment (depending on education and experience) and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. Calculate your net salary here.
• Holiday hours: 186,4 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.

You will work in a dynamic and collaborative work environment with leading public health and academic institutions in Amsterdam, including the Laboratory of Applied Evolutionary Biology (LAEB) at Amsterdam UMC led by Professor Colin Russell. You will be based at LAEB where you will have the opportunity to work with an internationally diverse team of computational and wet lab biologists working at the interface of evolution, epidemiology, and pathogen biology.

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.