We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated scientist to develop innovative approaches that will inform the Dutch government on infectious disease control strategies. Modelling results have been pivotal in guiding infectious disease control during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are embarking on a new project to better understand the interaction of various interventions and their effectiveness. Our work lies at the intersection of theory and data, employing a multi-scale approach to enhance predictive accuracy.
This position is within the Unit for Infectious Disease Modelling, an international team of about 15 researchers, including PhD students, specializing in communicable diseases. Our team collaborates with experts in epidemiology, bacteriology, virology, immunology, health economics and other fields both within and outside of RIVM. Our department is part of the Centre for Epidemiology and Surveillance (EPI), under the Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb) at RIVM, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment. See https://www.rivm.nl/en/modelling-infectious-diseases .

This PhD project is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of infection control measures, such as non-pharmaceutical interventions (including behavioural changes) and vaccination. The primary objective is to study the effectiveness of various intervention packages in preventing introduction of infection, reducing transmission, and minimizing severe outcomes, with the ultimate goal of mitigating or controlling epidemics. We will use both models and data to identify population subgroups at high risk of severe outcomes, those driving the epidemics, and those at high risk of introducing infections. Our goal is to determine how interventions can be optimally targeted and combined for maximum effectiveness. The focus will be on identifying the general principles that will be applicable to future pandemics, using modelling and data analytics to test these principles. We will leverage extensive datasets collected during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands and other countries, as well as data from other infectious disease outbreaks in the Netherlands.

As a PhD student in this project, you will:
• Analyze data on reported COVID-19 cases in the Netherlands to establish the impact of control measures on the spatial spread of infections.
• Simulate the spread of infection over networks and identify optimal use of interventions aimed at preventing introduction events, interrupting spread in the general population, or preventing exposing individuals at high risk of severe outcomes.
• You will use modelling approaches, such as network models and matrix models, and you will use data analysis. Both approaches are combined to identify relevant subgroups in the population (based on location, age, or other criteria) that drive the epidemic, are at high risk of infection, and where control measures have a larger impact.
• Collaborate in a multidisciplinary project with epidemiologists, statisticians, and mathematical modellers.
• Publish your results in peer-reviewed journals and present them at international conferences.
• Write a PhD thesis based on these analyses, incorporating lessons learned about the general principles underlying the effectiveness of infection control measures.

Conducting your PhD research at RIVM offers a unique opportunity to work with leading scientists from various disciplines and to engage in research with significant societal impact. As a PhD student, you will have the opportunity to focus on your research project and take courses to broaden your skills.

Qualifications
We are looking for a candidate with:
• An MSc degree in the physical sciences (e.g., physics, applied mathematics, computer science, mathematical biology).
• Familiarity with programming, with modern statistical methods for data analysis.
• Experience in mathematical modelling of biological systems, or the ability to learn these skills.
• Proficiency in writing and communicating clearly in English.
• You must be willing to work as part of an international and multidisciplinary scientific team and be able to adapt creatively to the rapid changes in this dynamic research field.
• Active interest in infectious diseases, enthusiasm for working in public health and infectious diseases, with a focus on societal relevance.

Your Strengths
• Accuracy
• Collaboration
• Focus on getting things done
• Excellent writing skills

If you are ready to contribute to impactful research in infectious disease control, we encourage you to apply for this exciting PhD position.