PhD student: Genetic Prediction in Psychiatry

6 Jan 2026
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Amsterdam UMC

Research Field

Psychological sciences » Behavioural sciences
Psychological sciences » Psychology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

26 Jan 2026 - 22:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

36.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The PersonalRiskProfile project aims to develop advanced genetic prediction methods to improve early identification of individuals at risk for serious mental illness.
Serious mental illness has a major impact on patients, families and society. Early recognition of elevated risk creates important opportunities for prevention and timely intervention. Genetics has strong potential to improve risk identification, but current prediction methods are insufficient.
This project focuses on developing a new multi-disorder prediction approach that integrates different sources of information. You work with analytical model development, extensive simulation studies and analysis of existing large-scale genetic data.
The project is embedded in the Statistical Genetics Psychiatry Group within the department of Psychiatry at Amsterdam UMC and is funded by the European Research Council (ERC).
As a PhD student, you will contribute to the development of innovative multi-disorder genetic prediction methods in psychiatry. The positions are expected to start in the course of 2026. We are looking to recruit two PhD students for this project.
Your work focuses on integrating multiple sources for prediction, including common and rare genetic variants, family history, ancestry and typical age of onset. Your activities include:

• deriving and extending analytical statistical models;
• conducting large-scale simulation studies;
• analysing real-world genetic datasets;
• applying and extending existing prediction methods developed within the group;
• publishing scientific results and collaborating within a multidisciplinary research team.

You receive dedicated supervision and ample opportunities to further develop these skills.
You predict multiple psychiatric disorders simultaneously, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. The project builds on previously developed methods such as DDx-PRS , BPC and CC-GWAS .

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/jobs/357521/phd-student-genetic-prediction-…

Requirements
Specific Requirements

You are an ambitious and analytically strong researcher who enjoys working on methodological challenges. You bring:

• an MSc degree, preferably from a research master, in psychology, neuroscience, bioinformatics or a related field, candidates who will complete their Master's degree in the coming months are also warmly invited to apply.
• strong interest in statistical methods, advanced data analysis and working with large datasets;
• experience with programming in R or Python;
• affinity with scientific writing, preferably demonstrated through prior experience;
• excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Experience with genetic analyses and an interest in psychiatry are considered advantages, but are not required.

Additional Information
Benefits

• A flying start to your career in scientific research.
• Plenty of room for your drive to shape tomorrow's healthcare.
• Working on large-scale and in-house research, with motivated colleagues from all over the world.
• You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV.
• A contract for 12 months, with the intention to extend for a total of 4 years. The Guideline PhD contract applies to this vacancy.
• Salary scale OIO: € 3.108 to € 3.939 gross based on full-time employment (depending on education and experience) and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. Calculate your net salary here .
• Holiday hours: 190.4 per year for fulltime and a possibility to save additional hours.
• Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension.
• For >7 km each way, 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each way.
• Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Moreover, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.

Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.

Additional comments

During the publication period, applications will be handled continuously. If the vacancy is filled, it will be closed prematurely.
If you have any questions about this position, please feel free to contact Dr. Wouter Peyrot, project leader, at w.peyrot@amsterdamumc.nl .
For more information about the application procedure, please contact Chey Edwards, recruitment advisor, at c.i.edwards@amsterdamumc.nl .
A reference check, screening and hiring test may be part of the procedure. Read here whether that applies to you. If you join us, we ask you for a VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct).
Internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates in case of equal suitability.
Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be considered.

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/357521/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Amsterdam UMC

Country

Netherlands

City

Amsterdam

Postal Code

1105AZ

Street

Meibergdreef 9

Geofield

Contact

City

Amsterdam Zuidoost

Website

https://www.amsterdamumc.org/

Street

Meibergdreef 9

Postal Code

1105 AZ

STATUS: EXPIRED

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