Are you ready to make a difference in public health? We are looking for a motivated PhD candidate who is passionate about controlling infectious diseases using mathematical and computer models. If you want to influence public health strategies and contribute to important research, keep reading! In this role, you’ll work at the cutting edge of infectious disease control, helping to shape the future of public health in the Netherlands.

The PhD Project
This PhD project focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of various infection control measures, including non-pharmaceutical interventions (such as changes in behavior) and vaccination. The main objective is to investigate how different intervention strategies can prevent the introduction of infections, reduce transmission rates, and minimize severe health outcomes. Ultimately, we aim to help mitigate or control epidemics. To achieve this, we will utilize both mathematical models and real-world data to identify specific population groups that are at high risk for severe outcomes, those who drive the spread of infections, and those most likely to introduce new cases. Our goal is to determine how interventions can be optimally targeted and combined for maximum effectiveness. We will concentrate on identifying the general principles that will be applicable to future pandemics, using modelling and data analytics to test these principles.. Additionally, we will leverage extensive datasets collected during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands and other countries, as well as data from previous infectious disease outbreaks in the Netherlands.

Responsibilities

As a PhD student in this project, your responsibilities will include:

• Analyzing data on reported COVID-19 cases in the Netherlands to assess how control measures have affected the spatial spread of infections.
• Simulating the spread of infections through networks to determine the best use of interventions aimed at preventing the introduction of new cases, interrupting transmission in the general population, and protecting individuals at high risk for severe outcomes.
• You will be using various modelling approaches , such as network models and matrix models, alongside data analysis to identify key subgroups within the population—based on factors like location and age—who are driving the epidemic, are at high risk of infection, and where control measures can have a greater impact.
• Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of epidemiologists, statisticians, and mathematical modelers.
• Publishing your findings in peer-reviewed journals and presenting your work at international conferences.
• Writing a PhD thesis that integrates your analyses and captures the lessons learned about the effectiveness of infection control measures. 

Who you are

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Has a Master's degree in physical sciences (like physics, applied mathematics, computer science, or mathematical biology);
• Is familiar with programming and modern statistical methods for data analysis;
• Has experience in mathematical modeling of biological systems or is eager to learn these skills;
• Can write and communicate clearly in English;
• Is a team player who can adapt to the fast-paced nature of our research field.
• Do you see yourself in this description? We look forward to your application!

Fixed-term contract: 48 months.

Salaris­omschrijving

• During the doctoral research, your salary will be determined as follows:
• The first year € 3.246,16 gross per month (according to scale 8, salary step 0);
• The second year according to scale 8, salary step 5;
• The third year according to scale 8, salary step 7;
• The fourth year according to scale 8, salary step 8.

Dienst­verband: Arbeidsovereenkomst voor bepaalde tijd
Contract­duur: 48 maanden
Minimaal aantal uren per week: 36 uur
Maximaal aantal uren per week: 36 uur

Other terms and conditions of employment
In addition to your salary, you will receive an Individueel Keuzebudget (Individual Choice Budget, IKB). The IKB consists of money (16.37% of your gross annual salary) and time. With the IKB you can put together part of your terms of employment and make the choices that suit you. For example, you can choose to have part of your IKD paid out every month, for a higher monthly salary, or at the end of the year, so you can save money easily. You can also convert this budget into leave and vice versa or spend it on tax-friendly causes. The government attaches great importance to personal growth and career development and offers numerous opportunities for this. The fringe benefits include various study facilities, company fitness, full reimbursement of your public transport travel expenses commuting and partially paid parental leave.

RIVM

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) plays an important role in the prevention and control of infectious diseases. All activities taking place in this area are the responsibility of the Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb) and consist of effective prevention, great vigilance, and rapid response to potential outbreaks. In the event of a disease outbreak, CIb coordinates prevention and control measures at the national and international level and gives support to local and regional authorities in implementing national control measures. CIb formulates disease prevention and control strategies for health professionals and advises government bodies and professionals in the field. An important part of this task is to improve the quality and uniformity of prevention and control strategies. Equally important is clear and reliable communication to the public health professionals and effective international cooperation.

Unit for Infectious Disease Modelling

You will be part of the Unit for Infectious Disease Modelling, which consists of about 15 international researchers specializing in communicable diseases. Our team collaborates with experts in epidemiology, bacteriology, virology, immunology, health economics and other fields both within and outside of RIVM. The department is part of the Centre for Epidemiology and Surveillance (EPI) at RIVM.

Stel gerust je vraag
Meer informatie over deze vacature | Jacco Wallinga | jacco.wallinga@rivm.nl
Meer informatie over de sollicitatieprocedure | Godelief Wösten | godelief.wosten@rivm.nl

Details
We ask for a cover letter at the RIVM. In doing so, it is helpful to set out in it your motivation for the specific position and the RIVM, rather than a summary of your resume. Need tips? 4 tips for a good cover letter - Working for the Netherlands.

The recruitment and selection process generally looks like this:

• When we see a match, we invite you for an initial interview.
• Is that positive from both sides? Then we will contact you for a second interview.
• Do we both like it? Then we will conclude with an employment interview.
• Because working at the RIVM entails social responsibility, we will ask you for a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG).
• It may be that we choose a different method of selection, because that suits the role or the target group better. We will always inform you what that process looks like.

Special circumstances:

• Are you already employed by the national government? We encourage your career step within the central government.
• If you are applying as a “from-work-to-work candidate” or as a “redeployment candidate,” please include a copy of your designation letter.
• If you are currently working for the central government through a temporary employment agency, please mention this in your letter.
• The RIVM is committed to employing employees who fall within the target group of the Jobs Agreement Act. Do you fall into this target group and are you in the target group register? Then we also invite you to respond! Want to know more? Then click here! Together with you we will see if and how you can possibly fill this position.

At the RIVM, you are welcome just as you are. We are convinced that diversity in a team makes cooperation and outcomes stronger. In addition, employee involvement in employee participation is highly valued.

Good to know:

• This job posting will go offline after the closing date. Would you like to read it again later, for example before your job interview? Then don't forget to download and save the text.
• We follow the Recruiter Code and handle your personal data with care.
• For a full picture of applicants' business backgrounds, we sometimes consult LinkedIn.
• This vacancy is on http://www.werkenvoornederland.nl/with a fixed closing date. It is possible that after this date this vacancy is still (unintentionally) findable on various job boards. Be aware that the closing date on http://www.werkenvoornederland.nl/is leading.

Solliciteren?
RIVM nodigt je uit op hun site te solliciteren. Via oranje knop verlaat je deze site en ga je direct naar het sollicitatieformulier. Het Rijk hecht waarde aan een diverse en inclusieve organisatie. Werken in divers samengestelde teams maakt ons effectiever, innovatiever en het werk leuker. Eenieder wordt daarom uitgenodigd te solliciteren.