Post-doc computational modeling for Health & Society (0.8 fte)

Your job

Are you a data scientist with a keen interest in public health, or a public health researcher with deep experience with data science methods?

We are looking for an enthusiastic post-doc who will contribute to the Health & Society chair group’s research by developing computational models for two different research projects: the SWITCH project for 0.4 FTE and the SHINE (Simulating Health Inequalities in the Netherlands) project for 0.4 FTE.

The SWITCH project:
The SWITCH project is a European Horizon research project on healthy, sustainable, and just food systems. Within this project, you as a post-doc will develop a so-called ‘foodscape simulator’ that will virtually test intervention activities to promote healthy, and sustainable dietary outcomes for specific (vulnerable) groups, based on agent-based modelling. You will build this model around one regional food hub within the project. The pilot regional foodscape simulator model would serve as a test case for the development of foodscape simulators for other regional food hubs involved in the project. The outcomes of the foodscape simulator will be integrated in scenario building and policy recommendations. Your work duties within the SWITCH project will include developing and calibrating the foodscape simulator (including gathering the necessary data for the model) and writing reports and publications on the model.

The SHINE Project:
The difference in health outcomes between high and low socio-economic status individuals is known as the social gradient in health. In the Netherlands, the social gradient in health has widened in recent decade. However, whether the social gradient was present in the more distant past, prior to the mid-twentieth century, is debated. This study will examine this question, leveraging new data that links grandparents’, parents’ and children’s socio-economic and health information across centuries. Computational methods, potentially including simulation, will be used to understand when the social gradient in health emerged.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• developing two different computational models, including necessary data processing and identification, for each of the projects;
• contribute to high quality research in the field of health and society by writing scientific reports and publications;
• think critically and constructively about how best to apply computational sciences to health promotion research;
• participate in HSO group events and meetings.        

Your qualities

You have:

• a recently or almost completed PhD degree in either (1) data science with experience in health-related topics, or (2) a health-related field with experience with data science methods;
• research experience working with computational models;
• research experience in a national or European grants is a plus;
• good English language skills.

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about language level C1. If you do not yet have this level, we will of course help you and you can go to our language center Wageningen in'to Language

You can see that there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. These challenges can also be seen as development opportunities. So if you do not yet have the track-record required in the vacancy, but do have solid work experience, we would also like to invite you to apply.

You will work here
We, in the Health and Society Group, see ourselves as embedded in widening circles of engagement with the major challenges facing human and planetary health today. Whether we are studying the domain of people, places, policies, or the planet more broadly, we engage with these domains with the aim to improve health and society.

Our research includes studies on the role that the local environment plays in shaping lifestyle and health practices, the role that friends, family or places play in influencing health-related decisions, and the effects that polices play on population and planetary health. We use science and theory to guide us in our approach, and participatory practices to foster a healthier world.

We offer you

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation/holiday hours by working more,  per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 3.378  and €5.331  for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended - if possible within (company) organizational circumstances - on good performance. Of course, we are happy to have a conversation with you if you have any questions about this.

The position is for 0.8 FTE, starting 1 March 2025 until 31 December 2026.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 19^th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact Prof.dr. Spencer Moore, chair Health and Society, spencer.moore@wur.nl.

For more information about the procedure, please contact Noorien Abbas, corporate recruiter, recruitment.ssg@wur.nl.

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 21 January 2025. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on 30 & 31 January 2025.

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!


We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.