PhD student ACCELERATE

Background
“Clearing the clouds on data”. The main objective of the Data Science Institute (DSI) at Hasselt University is to facilitate the data-driven future. DSI unites researchers working in the broad field of data science across different research groups and faculties, including researchers from statistics, computer science, computational mathematics, life sciences and logistics. However, Hasselt University's newest research institute builds on years of applied and fundamental research by the participating research groups. It supports and strengthens the collaboration between different data science research groups at the university and acts as a single point of contact for external collaborations and consultancy.
For more information visit our website: https://www.uhasselt.be/dsi

Job content
The Center for Statistics (CenStat, research group within DSI) is looking for a full-time doctoral student in the domain of statistics and infectious disease modeling. CenStat, builds on more than 30 years of top scientific research in mathematical statistics, biostatistics, statistical bioinformatics and epidemiology. CenStat is a division of I-Biostat, the Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and statistical Bioinformatics, and is internationally renowned for both fundamental and applied research.
The activities in the field of modeling infectious diseases are situated within the interuniversity research group SIMID (https://www.simid.be/), which has among other things taken on a leading role in policy-preparatory research during the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium and beyond.
What does the job look like?

• You will work actively on the preparation and defense of a PhD thesis with regard to the development of novel parameter estimation and inference methods in the context of individual-based models for the study of the spread of infectious diseases. This PhD project is embedded in the ACCELERATE project focusing on mathematical models that accommodate heterogeneity in the infection process and individual characteristics. Your PhD focuses on the development and application of new and existing methods to estimate key epidemiological parameters relevant for the spread of infectious diseases based on available data sources thereby accounting for the data complexities.
• You will closely collaborate with other researchers with complementary skills at Hasselt University, University of Antwerp and the Free University of Brussels.
• You will report study results in writing and orally in the national and international scientific community.
• You will contribute to a public health framework grounded in advanced statistics, health economics and computer sciences to accelerate decision making for a next pandemic.
• You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks.

Profile

• You have obtained (or will obtain by September 2024) a master diploma in (bio)statistics, mathematics or equivalent.
• You have obtained excellent grades.
• You have a good methodological background.
• You have ample experience in programming with R, Matlab or Python, or you are motivated to obtain scientific programming skills.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You have a critical mind, are not afraid to formulate and defend your opinion.
• You are cooperative and can work well in teams.
• You are able to report clearly and regularly.
• You are enterprising and show initiative.
• You work proactively and accurately, ensuring a high-quality end result.
• You communicate fluently in English, both orally and in writing.

Offer
You will be appointed and paid as PhD student.
We offer you a PhD scholarship for 2 years, renewable for 2 years following a positive evaluation.

Selection procedure
You can only apply online up to and including 30 April 2024.
The selection procedure consists of a preselection based on application file and an interview.

Further information
Prof. dr. Steven ABRAMS, +32-11-268235, steven.abrams@uhasselt.be

For questions about the selection procedure, please email jobs@uhasselt.be.