Hybrid PhD Position in epidemiological data collection, scenario analysis and implementation sciences (Jette, BE) en Vrije Universiteit Brussel

1 - Working at the VUB

For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and solidarity, and this is very much alive on our campuses among students and staff alike. 

At the VUB, you will find a diverse collection of personalities: innovators pur sang, but above all people who are 100% their authentic selves. With some 4,000 employees, we are the largest Dutch-speaking employer, in the private sector, in Brussels; an international city with which we are only too happy to connect and where (around) our 4 campuses are located. 

Add to this our principle of free research - in which self-reflection, a critical attitude and an open, creative mind around scientific and social issues are central - and you have a university that is fundamentally groundbreaking and pioneering in education and research. In short: the VUB all over again. 

Moreover, the VUB is a member of EUTOPIA, an alliance of like-minded European universities, all ready to reinvent themselves.

2 - Position description

The Faculteit Geneeskunde en Farmacie, Department Observerende Klinische wetenschappen, is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant. 

More concretely your work package, for the preparation of a doctorate, contains: 

Are you eager to improve pandemic preparedness through data-driven research? Do you want to work on real-world implementation of AI and epidemiological models in healthcare? Then you might be the PhD candidate we are looking for!

Join ANTICIPATE (Artificial Intelligence and Epidemic Modeling to Prepare Hospitals for the Next Respiratory Pathogen with Pandemic Potential), a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research project funded by FWO-SBO, in collaboration with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), the Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel) and the University of Antwerp (UA). This fully funded PhD position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the future of pandemic resilience through scenario analysis, clinical data collection strategies and implementation science.

Project Overview:

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical gaps in our ability to detect and respond to emerging respiratory viruses. ANTICIPATE addresses these challenges by developing AI-supported tools and simulation models to (1) detect novel pathogens early through broad genomic screening, (2) support hospitals in mitigating the impact of pandemics through optimized data-driven decision-making and (3) investigate real-world implementation and adoption of these AI driven tools.

The project brings together experts in AI, epidemiology, health economics, molecular diagnostics, implementation sciences and public health. It is structured around six scientific work packages and three real-world use cases (UCs), with continuous input from hospitals, government agencies and healthcare organizations.

Scope of the PhD project:

Data Collection, Scenario Analysis, Implementation Sciences with the goal not only to develop tools and models but also to investigate how they can be translated in a real-world context.

You will be jointly affiliated with the Department of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases at UZ Brussel and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Group (MENT) at VUB. The research will focus on two key use cases within the ANTICIPATE project which serve also as the basis for the study on the implementation of the innovative approach which we aim for.

What we offer:

• A fully funded 4-year PhD position within a dynamic and interdisciplinary research consortium.
• Access to rich clinical datasets, cutting-edge modeling tools, and real-world hospital infrastructure.
• Opportunities for international collaboration, training and academic dissemination.
• A vibrant academic environment at the interface of healthcare, science and society.

For this function, our Brussels Health Campus (Jette) will serve as your home base. 

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

• Master’s degree in biomedical sciences, public health, biostatistics, epidemiology, medical sociology, or related field.

• A strong interest in infectious disease modeling and interdisciplinary implementation research.
• Experience with data analysis (e.g., R, Python) and/or clinical data management is a plus.
• Experience with qualitative research is an asset.
• Excellent communication skills in English; knowledge of Dutch is an asset for working in a clinical setting.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to work independently on societally relevant research.

• You have not performed any works in the execution of a mandate as an assistant, paid from operating resources, over a total (cumulated) period of more than 12 months.

The VUB wants to be a reflection of the society where everyone's talent is valued, regardless of gender, age, religion, skin color, migration background, disability and neurodiversity.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague?

You’ll be offered a full-time PhD-scholarship, for 12 months (extendable up to max. 48 months, on condition of the positive evaluation of the PhD activities), with planned starting date 01/11/2025. 

You’ll receive a grant linked to one of the scales set by the government.

IMPORTANT: The effective result of the doctorate scholarship is subject to the condition precedent of your enrolment as a doctorate student at the university.

At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career.

As well as this, you will also enjoy various other benefits:

• Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros per month OR an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
• An open and informal working environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a fulltime contract), closure between Christmas and New Year and 3 extra leave days;
• Cost-free hospitalisation insurance;
• Full reimbursement of your home-to-work commute with public transport according to VUB-policy, and/or compensation if you come by bike; 
• A wide selection of meals in our campus restaurants at attractive prices;
• Excellent and affordable facilities for sport and exercise, a range of discounts via Benefits@Work (in  all kinds of shops, on flights, in petrol stations, amusement parks...) and Ecocheques; 
• Nursery near campus, discount on holiday camps; 
• The space to form your job content and to continuously learn through our VUB learning platforms and training courses;
• And finally: great colleagues with a healthy drive.

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of?

Then apply, at the latest on 30/09/2025, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your CV;
• your motivation letter;
• your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni).

Our application process is as follows (subject to change):

• step 1: an initial selection based on your application file; 
• step 2: a job interview.

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Prof. Dr. Sabine Allard or Prof. Dr. Patricia De Vriendt at [email protected] or [email protected] or on 0479/654110 (Prof. Dr. Patricia De Vriendt).

Would you like to know what it’s like to work at the VUB? Go to jobs.vub.be, and find all there is to know about our campuses, benefits, strategic goals and your future colleagues.

Would you like more information about EUTOPIA? Go to eutopia-university.eu, and read more about the role of the VUB in the development of the EUTOPIA alliance.