PhD Assistant with Research and Teaching Assignment (3x2 years) in Biostatistics and Public Health KU Leuven in Belgium

The L-BioStat research group at KU Leuven, part of the Department of Public Health and Primary Care within the Faculty of Medicine and the Biomedical Sciences Group, is internationally recognized for its fundamental and theoretical research in medical statistics, epidemiology, ecological statistics, and other statistical domains within the life sciences. L-BioStat collaborates through the Leuven Statistics Research Centre (LStat) with other research groups in psychometrics, engineering sciences, bioscience engineering, and social sciences, and is a key entity of the Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics (I-BioStat), together with CenStat at Hasselt University.

The institute is renowned for its work on repeated measurements, missing data, clinical trials, surrogate endpoint evaluation, spatial data, infectious diseases, food safety, statistical ecology, and survey and sampling methodology. Its members are active in international scientific societies such as the International Biometric Society, American Statistical Association, Royal Statistical Society, and International Society of Statistical Modeling, and have served as editors for leading biostatistics journals.

This PhD assistant position combines scientific research, teaching, and service. You will join a teaching team responsible for practical sessions in biostatistics for Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing Sciences, and Dentistry programs. Under the supervision of experienced professors, you will conduct research in biostatistics in preparation for a PhD, participate in scientific meetings, and provide limited scientific services to staff members of the Biomedical Sciences Group and University Hospitals of KU Leuven.

Applicants must have a Master’s degree in a quantitative field (statistics, mathematics, physics, computer science, or (bio-)engineering), solid prior knowledge of applied statistics, strong study results, good didactic skills, and an interest in teaching biostatistics to students with limited statistical background. Interest in applying quantitative methods in biomedical sciences and developing new statistical methodology is expected. Good knowledge of Dutch and English (spoken and written) is mandatory.

The appointment is initially for 2 years, starting on 01/09/2026 (negotiable), with the possibility of two extensions up to a maximum of 6 years. The position is linked to salary scale 43, offering a competitive salary and benefits. KU Leuven provides an inclusive, respectful, and socially safe environment, embracing diversity and equal opportunity.

For more information, contact Prof. Dr. Ariel Alonso Abad, Prof. Dr. Geert Verbeke, Prof. Dr. Thomas Neyens, or Prof. Dr. Geert Molenberghs via email. Apply online through the KU Leuven job portal before the deadline.