Combining psychometrics and machine learning in multi-modal datasets to optimize prediction of personality and mental health

Do you have experience  with or interest in behaviour genetics and molecular genetic methodology and  would you like to work in a multidisciplinary team in an academic environment? Please apply at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Location:

AMSTERDAM

FTE:

0.8 - 1

Job description

In light of increasing (mental) health demands, it is important to increase our understanding of and ability to  predict wellbeing at the individual level. People who feel happy are at a lower risk of developing mental health issues. The ability to predict who will thrive (and who will not) allows for timely interventions, the promotion of future positive outcomes and the prevention of negative outcomes. To this end, in this project, prediction models for wellbeing and personality traits like Neuroticism will be built using a combination of machine learning and psychometric techniques in the Netherlands Twin Register (

www.tweelingenregister.org

). More specifically, data on a wide range of psychosocial (the ‘phenome’) and genetic (the ‘genome’) predictors, as well as environmental exposures (the ‘exposome’) will be leveraged. Part of the project will consist of exploring how the vast amounts of environmental exposures at different spatial and temporal levels currently available can be optimally used. Eventually, the developed algorithms will be externally validated in other cohorts such as the UK Biobank. You will work in an interdisciplinary team of wellbeing researchers and international collaborators.

Requirements

• a (research) master in biological psychology, positive psychology, genetics, psychometrics, artificial intelligence, exposure science, or related fields

• Knowledge of statistical methods and statistical programming (R or Python)

• Experience with or interest in behaviour genetics and molecular genetic methodology

• Experience in working with large datasets

• Interest in Wellbeing and Research

• Excellent English writing and speaking skills

What are we offering?

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts €2,541 (PhD) per month during the first year and increases to €3,247 (PhD) per month during the fourth year, based on a full-time employment. The job profile: is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 0.8 FTE.

The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for a duration of 4 years.
Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment,
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus,
• solid pension scheme (ABP), contribution to commuting expenses,
• hybrid working enables a good work-life balance

About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 30,000 students. We employ over 5,500 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences
The Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences focuses on the broad domain of behaviour and health. Our teaching and research programmes are devoted to current developments in society, from healthy aging to e-health, from juvenile crime to dealing with depression, from training for top athletes to social media as a teaching tool. We are unique in that we combine three academic disciplines: psychology, movement sciences and education.

Working at Behavioural and Movement Sciences means working in an ambitious organization that is characterized by an informal atmosphere and short lines of communication. Our faculty offers tremendous scope for personal development. We employ more than 600 staff members, and we are home to around 3,400 students.

About the department, institute, project
The department of Biological Psychology at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is a world-renowned research and education centre focused on understanding the genetic and biological underpinnings of individual differences in cognition, behaviour, and health. We maintain the Netherlands Twin Register, a unique resource for research on the interplay of genes and environment on brain development, cognitive abilities, personality, behavioural problems, psychiatric disorders, and health and well-being.

Application

Are you interested in this position? Please apply via the application button and upload your curriculum vitae and cover letter until

19/05/2023

. 

Applications received by e-mail will not be processed.

Vacancy questions
If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, you may contact:

Name: Dirk Pelt
Position: assistant professor
E-mail: [email protected]

No agencies