Vacancy
Postdoctoral researcher 'Healthy Lifestyles through Data Science, Machine Learning and AI'
Your job
We are looking for an enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher to expand and strengthen research on "Healthy Lifestyle through Data Science, Machine Learning, and AI". Are you excited about the opportunities that data science—especially techniques like reinforcement learning—offers for understanding and influencing health-related behavior? Are you interested in uncovering what works, for whom, and under which circumstances by analyzing complex behavioral data? Do you want to contribute to the development of innovative, adaptive solutions that support healthier lifestyles? And does working in an interdisciplinary team focused on real-world impact appeal to you? Then this position at Wageningen University might be just for you!
Function
For our research line on Healthy Lifestyle through Data Science, Machine Learning, and AI, we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher for a 3-year position (0.75 FTE).
In this role, you will work closely with Dr. Monique Simons and Dr. Laura Winkens to advance the understanding of what works, for whom, and under which circumstances in the context of lifestyle behavior change. Behavior change is complex because of the many multi-level factors at play and often requires adaptive, personalized interventions that dynamically respond to an individual’s behavior and environment. You will conduct independent research focused on developing and optimizing such adaptive and personalized interventions using cutting-edge data science techniques, including reinforcement learning and other approaches that leverage real-time data.
Your responsibilities include setting up and running new studies independently, working with diverse datasets, developing algorithms and decision rules, and contributing to the refinement of data-driven intervention strategies.
Tasks
As a postdoctoral researcher within our research team, your tasks will include:
- Mapping the state of the art and identifying and prioritizing research questions in the field of data-driven digital lifestyle interventions;
- Determining the most suitable data science techniques (e.g., machine learning, cluster analysis) to answer specific research questions based on available data.
- Running simulation studies and other pre-intervention analyses to explore potential pathways for behavior change and identify key factors that influence success.
- Applying machine learning, statistical techniques, and AI to analyze data, predict events, and identify patterns that inform behavior change strategies.
- Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including behavioral scientists, data scientists, technology developers, platform owners and healthcare professionals;
- Publishing research results in leading scientific journals and presenting at national and international conferences;
- Actively contributing to the development of follow-up research and obtaining external funding;
- Establishing and coordinating a learning community in the field of Data Science and Healthy Lifestyles to promote knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Your qualities
- A completed PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g., data science, computer science, engineering science, artificial intelligence, or health science/psychology with specialization or additional training in data science);
- Demonstrable expertise in data science, with hands-on experience in techniques such as machine learning, reinforcement learning, and simulations, and in handling large-scale, within-person, or real-time datasets;
- A strong foundation in statistical modeling and algorithm development, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights;
- Preferably, experience applying these methods in the context of healthy lifestyle interventions or behavior change;
- Familiarity with behavior change theories and experience with intervention design and data collection is a plus;
- Excellent communication skills and a proactive attitude for effective collaboration in interdisciplinary research teams;
- A strong motivation to bridge behavioral science and data science to create meaningful, personalized digital health solutions;
- Strong academic writing skills and a track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
You can see that there are plenty of challenges ahead of you. These challenges can also be seen as development opportunities. So if you do not yet have the track-record required in the vacancy, but do have solid work experience, we would also like to invite you to apply.
As part of ongoing projects, you will have the opportunity to contribute and build upon to among others:
• A ZonMw-funded project focused on promoting healthy food choices in built environments;
• The 4TU RECENTRE project targets metabolic syndrome through personalized digital interventions;
• The LIFTS project, promotes sustainable healthy lifestyles among low-literate youth in vocational education through accessible, engaging technologies such as wearables and games.
These projects offer a unique opportunity to shape the future of personalized digital health interventions and to deepen our knowledge of how, when, and why such interventions are effective across diverse populations and real-world settings.
You will work here
The chair group Consumption and Healthy Lifestyles studies consumption and lifestyles of individuals and groups from an interdisciplinary perspective. The chair group embeds these insights in the design, evaluation and implementation of interventions to enable healthy and sustainable behaviors.
The group aims to better understand the drivers of healthy consumption patterns and lifestyles among individuals and groups, and how smartly designed intervention strategies can enable behavior change and promote healthy lifestyles. Particular attention is paid to the research domains of Wageningen University, i.e., food, health and the living environment.
The group takes on a social-ecological perspective towards understanding and fostering healthy consumption and lifestyles, with due attention to individuals, the social groups in which they operate and the environmental factors that may facilitate or hinder behavior change. Intervention design and evaluation addresses social, psychological and technological mechanisms in different contexts (including care and workplace). More information about the chair group can be found here.
We offer you
- A high degree of freedom and space to develop and translate your own ideas into concrete studies;
- Team science: close collaboration within the digital health team;
- A unique opportunity to build or strengthen an (inter)national network both within and outside academia;
- The opportunity to gain experience in teaching in the field of Data Science for Food and Health.
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
- sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
- working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
- the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, per week;
- there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
- a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
- excellent pension scheme.
Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 19th consecutive time.
Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.
Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.
Do you want more information?
For more information about this position, please contact Monique Simons, assistant professor, via monique.simons@wur.nl or Laura Winkens, assistant professor, via laura.winkens@wur.nl.
For more information about the procedure, please contact Noorien Abbas, corporate recruiter via recruitment.ssg@wur.nl
Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.
This vacancy will be listed up to and including June 16. The first job interviews are scheduled on June 23 and June 24 and the second round interviews are scheduled on June 30 and Juli 1.
Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure
Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.
We are
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.
Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!
We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.