Utrecht University is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. This position focuses on the integration of exposomics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to advance precision prevention in human health. The successful candidate will design and apply innovative computational approaches—including graphical models, penalised structural models, and large language models—to analyze complex, high-dimensional, and time-varying exposure data. The research will integrate rich exposome datasets with multiple omics layers (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics) to uncover how environmental factors influence human health at the molecular level. The PhD candidate will work closely with leading experts in epidemiology, omics, and environmental health as part of the Gravitation program Exposome-NL, a national research consortium uniting over fifty scientists from diverse disciplines across the Netherlands. The position is based in the Data Science & Exposome Group within the One Health Chemical research line, led by Professor Roel Vermeulen, and will involve collaboration with several interconnected groups, including Occupational Health, Environmental Health, Planetary Health, and Exposure Science. Applicants should hold a Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, (Computational) Epidemiology, Bioinformatics, or a related field, and demonstrate expertise in programming and quantitative data analysis using R or Python. A strong interest in high-dimensional omics and exposome research, excellent collaboration, reporting, and presentation skills, and proficiency in English are required. Experience with machine learning or AI pipelines and familiarity with high-performance computing environments are highly desirable. The position offers a one-year contract, extendable to four years upon positive evaluation, with a gross monthly salary between €3,059 and €3,881 (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). Additional benefits include 8% holiday pay, 8.3% year-end bonus, a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, flexible terms of employment, and professional development opportunities. Utrecht University is committed to diversity and inclusion, providing a supportive environment for all staff and students. To apply, submit your motivation letter, CV, and contact details of at least two referees via the university's online application portal before the deadline of 5 January 2026. For further information, prospective applicants may contact Dr. Chris Thio or Dr. Natalia Vilor-Tejedor.

This PhD position at Utrecht University, within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Population Health Sciences, focuses on agent-based modelling to understand and promote physical activity in urban environments. The successful candidate will join the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) and collaborate with the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) and other interdisciplinary experts. The project aims to develop and extend agent-based models (ABM) that simulate how people move, make activity choices, and interact with their urban surroundings. Key research areas include integrating physical activity modules into spatial transport models, studying the influence of urban design, environmental stressors (such as heat, air pollution, and pollen), and social factors (like safety, norms, and networks) on active lifestyles. The candidate will develop and test models using diverse data sources, including sensors, surveys, Google Street View imagery, and microdata from sources like CBS Lifestyle Monitor and ODIN. Computational and AI-based modelling approaches will be employed to simulate the impact of urban interventions—such as green spaces, outdoor fitness equipment, and active transport policies—on population health and health equity. The research will include case studies in Dutch and potentially other European cities to evaluate real-world applications and policy impacts. The position offers a collaborative environment with urban planners, data scientists, and public health researchers. Applicants should have a Master’s degree in a relevant field, experience with programming and modelling, and strong analytical, quantitative, and communication skills. The position is initially for one year, with extension to four years upon positive evaluation, and includes a competitive salary, holiday pay, year-end bonus, pension scheme, and flexible employment terms. Utrecht University is committed to diversity and inclusion, providing a supportive environment for all staff. Applications are open until 31 December 2025.