Chris Hoeboer
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PhD Position: Bigdata4change – Improving PTSD Treatment Amsterdam UMC in Netherlands
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Predictive Modeling
Funding
PhD employment contract for 12 months with intent to extend to a total of four years; salary scale OIO €3,217 to €4,077 gross per month for a full-time position, plus 8.3% year-end bonus and travel allowances.
Deadline
Nov 15, 2026
Country
Netherlands
University
Amsterdam UMC
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About this position
Bigdata4change is a PhD project at Amsterdam UMC’s Department of Psychiatry, within the Center for Psychological Trauma, focused on improving treatment for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The project addresses a key clinical question: why some patients improve during trauma-focused therapy while others continue to have symptoms, and how treatment could be adapted earlier when progress is insufficient.
The research brings together international data from PTSD treatment sessions and studies symptom change session by session. The PhD candidate will work on building a large cross-center dataset, analyzing treatment processes that precede symptom change, and identifying when and for whom those processes matter most. A major part of the project is the development and validation of predictive models that can estimate early in treatment who is likely to recover, who may remain symptomatic, and who may deteriorate.
The final phase of the project includes a randomized clinical study comparing standard Prolonged Exposure therapy with a version in which effective treatment processes are deliberately strengthened. This makes the project both methodological and clinically applied, combining psychological treatment research with advanced modeling and trial work.
The student will work closely with experienced researchers and with national and international partners, including clinical and academic collaborators in the Netherlands, Norway, and beyond. The project is embedded in an internationally oriented trauma research environment with a strong focus on accessible, effective, equitable, and personalized care for people with PTSD.
The role also includes collaboration with clinicians, researchers, and people with lived experience in the design, conduct, and interpretation of the study, as well as publication and conference presentation of findings.
Funding details
PhD employment contract for 12 months with intent to extend to a total of four years; salary scale OIO €3,217 to €4,077 gross per month for a full-time position, plus 8.3% year-end bonus and travel allowances.
What's required
Applicants must have an completed master's degree in psychology, health sciences, biomedical sciences, epidemiology, data science, or another relevant discipline; a research master's is considered an advantage. Experience with statistical analyses is required, and motivation to develop further in longitudinal methods, dynamic models, and machine learning is expected. Experience with R, Python, or similar software is an advantage. Candidates must have good Dutch language skills because of contact with participants and clinicians, and excellent English for international collaboration and scientific publishing. The role also calls for curiosity, drive, accuracy, independent working, planning, teamwork, and sensitive professional communication.
How to apply
Apply via the AcademicTransfer application link. Prepare to mention your relevant background in psychology or data science, statistical experience, and language skills. Note that first-round interviews are planned for 23 and 26 November.
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Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Professors
Assistant Professor at Amsterdam UMC
Netherlands
Research Interests
Clinical Psychology
Statistics
Ml
Predictive Modeling
Psychotherapy
Professor at Amsterdam UMC
Netherlands
Research Interests
Statistics
Clinical Psychology
Trauma Therapy
Psychotherapy
Predictive Modeling
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.