Roel Vermeulen

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.

Utrecht University is offering a fully funded PhD position focused on quantifying indoor and occupational microplastic exposure and developing interventions to reduce such exposure. The project is embedded in the interdisciplinary MOMENTUM 3.0 programme, funded by ZonMw, and integrates environmental exposure assessment, advanced analytical chemistry, behavioral science, and stakeholder engagement. The research will be conducted at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), and in collaboration with the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). The successful candidate will design and conduct air measurements in homes and workplaces using citizen-science approaches, build and operate active air-sampling setups, and analyze microplastics using advanced techniques such as TED-GC/MS, SEM-EDX, and µ-FTIR. The role involves processing complex datasets to identify exposure patterns and determinants, as well as designing and evaluating intervention strategies like HEPA filtration and behavioral guidance. Collaboration with TNO and Utrecht University researchers across multiple disciplines is a key aspect, and the candidate will have opportunities to publish results and present at international conferences. Applicants should have a Master’s degree in Chemistry or a closely related field, strong interest in environmental health, exposure science, and analytical techniques, and laboratory experience with spectroscopy or chromatography methods. The ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams, along with good English communication skills, is required; Dutch is a plus. The position offers a gross monthly salary between €3,059 and €3,881, 8% holiday pay, 8.3% year-end bonus, pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, flexible employment terms, and access to training and career development programs. The PhD is initially for 12 months, with extension to four years upon successful evaluation. The application deadline is 28 February 2026, and the intended start date is flexible, ideally before 1 May 2026. Supervision will be provided by Dr. Luke Parker (TNO) and Prof. Dr. Roel Vermeulen (Utrecht University). For more information, contact [email protected] or [email protected]. To apply, submit your CV, motivation letter, and contact details of at least two referees via the Utrecht University job portal.

Are you fascinated by the interplay between nitrogen deposition, soil processes, and forest health under environmental stressors? The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University invites applications for a PhD position within the Department of Population Health Sciences, embedded in the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS). This interdisciplinary project investigates how nitrogen deposition and soil acidification impact microbial communities and forest vitality, with a focus on weakly buffered forest ecosystems. The research addresses the accumulation of nitrogen compounds in Dutch soils, leading to acidification and altered mineral uptake, which in turn limits vegetation growth and survival. The project explores how eutrophication and acidification interact with drought sensitivity in tree species, a concern exacerbated by climate change and increasing forest mortality. A key hypothesis is that deteriorating soil microbial communities, affected by these stressors, may shift in species composition and reduce the soil’s water-holding capacity, further impacting forest health. As a PhD candidate, you will: Study the effects of nitrogen deposition and soil acidification on soil microbial communities and their influence on tree growth and survival. Conduct fieldwork in forests with nitrogen deposition gradients, both in the Netherlands and internationally, focusing on sandy soils. Perform soil sampling and tree growth measurements using dendrometers. Carry out laboratory analyses, including genetic (PCR) and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analyses, microbial biomass assessments, soil carbon measurements, respiration, and enzymatic activity studies. The project is part of a larger initiative measuring and modeling spatial and temporal patterns in nitrogen deposition and air concentrations. You will join a collaborative, interdisciplinary team and benefit from Utrecht University’s commitment to professional development, flexible employment conditions, and a supportive, inclusive environment. Eligibility: Applicants must have an MSc in ecology (preferably with a focus on soil microbial ecology), strong field and laboratory skills, experience with experimental design and statistical analysis, and excellent English communication abilities. Independence, eagerness to learn, and teamwork skills are essential. Funding: 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 (full-time), plus holiday pay, year-end bonus, pension, and additional benefits under the Dutch university collective agreement. Application: Submit your CV and motivation letter via the Utrecht University job portal by 3 March 2026. For more information, contact Dr. René Verburg, Dr. Daniel Martins Figueiredo, or Professor Roel Vermeulen. Utrecht University values diversity and strives for an inclusive academic environment. Knowledge security screening may be part of the selection process.

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.

Utrecht University is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD position in Integrative Exposome and Multi-Omics for Brain–Body Health. The successful candidate will join the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), specifically the Molecular Epidemiology and Data Science Group, and work under the supervision of Dr. Natalia Vilor-Tejedor and Professor Roel Vermeulen. The research focuses on understanding how environmental exposures influence brain–body health by integrating exposome, multi-omics, and brain–body data from diverse population-based cohorts. The project aims to characterize biological mechanisms linking environmental exposures to health outcomes using advanced statistical modeling and data integration techniques. The ideal candidate will have a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics, Data Science, Statistics, Computational Biology, Epidemiology, Neuroscience, or a related field, with strong programming and data analysis skills (R and/or Python), experience in statistical modeling, and a keen interest in exposomics and multi-omics integration. Additional experience with brain-related data, high-dimensional biological data analysis, and collaborative interdisciplinary research is highly valued. Proficiency in English and strong scientific communication skills are required. The position offers a four-year contract (initially one year, extended upon positive evaluation), a competitive gross monthly salary (€3,059–€3,881), 8% holiday pay, 8.3% year-end bonus, pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment terms. Utrecht University provides a supportive and inclusive environment, with opportunities for professional development and engagement in major strategic research themes such as Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. To apply, candidates should submit a motivation letter, CV, and contact details of at least two referees via the Utrecht University application portal by 23 March 2026. For further information, applicants may contact Dr. Natalia Vilor-Tejedor at [email protected]. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates interested in systems biology, population health, and the integration of environmental and biological data to advance human health research.