PhD Position in Extraction Evaluation and Evaluation of a Diagnostic Tool Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Belgium

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZB) invite applications for a PhD position within the FWO-SBO funded project ANTICIPATE, focusing on artificial intelligence and epidemic modeling to prepare hospitals for future respiratory pandemics. The project aims to develop AI-driven tools and epidemiological models for early detection of novel pathogens and optimized hospital decision-making. The PhD candidate will systematically evaluate a novel AI-guided diagnostic platform for respiratory pathogens, including influenza, norovirus, and rhinovirus, and assess extraction procedures performed on collected respiratory samples. The balance between wet and dry lab work is flexible and tailored to the candidate’s profile, with UZ Brussel serving as the home base.

The candidate will be jointly affiliated with the Department of Clinical Biology/Microbiology Diseases at UZ Brussel, the Bioinformatics group at VUB, and the sequencing platform BRIGHTcore. The research consortium is interdisciplinary, bringing together experts in artificial intelligence, epidemiology, health economics, molecular diagnostics, and public health, structured around six scientific work packages and three real-world use cases. Continuous input from hospitals, government agencies, and healthcare organizations ensures societal relevance and impact.

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in biomedical sciences, public health, biostatistics, epidemiology, or a related field. Strong interest in infectious disease modeling, data-driven healthcare, and interdisciplinary research is essential. Experience with data analysis (R, Python) and/or clinical data management is advantageous. Excellent English communication skills are required; Dutch is an asset for clinical work. Candidates must not have worked as an assistant paid from operating resources for more than 12 months. Non-EEA nationals must meet permit and residence requirements for VUB.

The position offers a full-time PhD scholarship for 12 months, extendable up to 48 months upon positive evaluation. The grant is linked to government scales and includes extensive benefits: telework allowance, cost-free hospitalisation insurance, full reimbursement of public transport commute, affordable campus meals, sports and exercise facilities, nursery discounts, and generous leave arrangements. The planned starting date is 01/08/2026, subject to enrolment as a doctorate student at VUB.

To apply, submit your CV, motivation letter, contact information for two references, and diploma (not required for VUB alumni) via jobs.vub.be by 15/07/2026. The selection process includes an initial review and a job interview. For job content questions, contact Prof. Deborah De Geyter at [email protected]. For more information about VUB and the EUTOPIA alliance, visit jobs.vub.be and eutopia-university.eu.