Postdoc position 'The Amsterdam Social Network Interventions for Health Simulator (ASNIHS)' project

Updated: over 1 year ago
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

We are looking for

Are you interested in complexity and network science approaches to solving ‘wicked’ public health problems? Would you like to apply your modelling skills in an interdisciplinary team?

The Health & Society Group at Wageningen University has a two-year postdoctoral researcher position available as part of the project, “The Amsterdam Social Network Interventions for Health Simulator (ASNIHS): Building the evidence base to improve the resiliency and health of Amsterdam residents,” in collaboration with Amsterdam community groups and researchers at WUR and University Medical Center Amsterdam. This project aims to build an agent-based model that will simulate community-level programs and test how different social network interventions may impact the success of such programs in improving the resilience and health of Amsterdam residents.

In this project, the postdoctoral researcher will work as part of a team to (1) conceptualize the role of social networks in community programs, (2) develop an agent-based model to capture these community and network dynamics in Amsterdam, and (3) contribute to designing best practices in social network interventions. The project is scheduled to start in March 2023.  

Wageningen University & Research offers an excellent home for developing your knowledge and skills in the complexity sciences and applying them to solve the grand challenges facing us today.

Health and Society
The group is part of the Department of Social Sciences at Wageningen University & Research.Our research focuses on the sociological study of public health, health promotion and health protection, in resource poor and research rich contexts, with emphasis on (1) the social, natural and built environment, and (2) the role of actors and social institutions in advancing health and wellbeing.
More information about Health and Society can be found on wur.eu/hso


We ask
  • A completed PhD in public health, data science, or a relevant social sciences field
  • Skills and training in the data sciences
  • Experience with Python and/or R
  • Experience in complex systems approaches (for example, social network analysis, agent-based modeling)
  • Eagerness to contribute to health-related issues
  • A willingness to work in an interdisciplinary team
  • A clear and concise writing style
  • Excellent knowledge of English
  • Good communication and collaboration skills

We offer

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

  • 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, up to 40 hours 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  € 2.960,-  and € 4.670,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the 

Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU)

 (scale 10).  

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 18th 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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief , known as the 30% ruling. 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 and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.


More information

For more information about this function, please contact Prof.dr. Spencer Moore, Chair Health and Society, [email protected]

For more information about the procedure, please contact Jeanine van ‘t Veer-Drost, Corporate Recruiter, [email protected]

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 15th of January 2023. We will schedule the first job interviews the 25th of January 2023.


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, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 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 this video  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.



Similar Positions