International migration has become increasingly relevant in recent decades for demographic developments in European societies. However, the long-term implications of migration for population dynamics on (sub)national levels are, to date, largely unknown since these are impossible to ascertain using traditional aggregate-level models which fail to consider heterogeneity in the life courses of migrants and their descendants. This also hampers public health policies as demographic risk factors for disease transmission (e.g. household structures) vary by migration background. Using population-wide longitudinal microdata that span several decades, the DynaMIGs-project aims to i) analyse life course transitions and spatial mobility in migrant populations at the individual and household level, ii) integrate these results in a demographic microsimulation model of population dynamics, and iii) incorporate this heterogeneity in individual-based models of infectious disease transmission.

We have two openings for a PhD position at Hasselt University in collaboration with the consortium partners.

• One PhD student will focus on the design, collection and analysis of social contact data. The student will also complement the register-based microsimulation model with survey data on heterogeneity in social contacts including those related to migration.
• One PhD student will focus on the redevelopment of the dynamic microsimulation models in view of introducing a spatial dimension with an emphasis on efficiency. As such, this person will concentrate on advancing the IBM methodology.

Applicants should have a master degree in statistics/data science, or related disciplines, and an interest in working in a multidisciplinary environment.

The PhD candidate will be appointed for 2 years, that can be extended for another 2 years after a positive interim evaluation. The scholarship provides a competitive stipend (https://www.uhasselt.be/en/about-hasselt-university/working-at-hasselt-university/why-work-at-hasselt-university#PhD), and research and travel expenses for conferences and summer schools.

More info about the PhD scholarship and how to apply before the 4th April deadline can be found here:
https://www.uhasselt.be/en/about-hasselt-university/working-at-hasselt-university/vacancies/detail/3271-phd-student-statistics-data-science