Job Description
The experience of stress is an inherent aspect of daily life. However, can we validly measure this, and how and under what circumstances does it contribute to disease? We at the department of Psychometrics and Statistics at the University of Groningen are looking for a PhD student to work with us on the ambitious Stress in Action project.
The Stress in Action project of the NWO gravitation program is utilizing fast technological advancements and big data analytics to study stress beyond the laboratory and in everyday life. As a member of the data analytic support core (DASC) team, you will be involved in developing various big data analytics techniques to answer specific analytical questions, such as how to model the dynamic interaction between contextual stress exposures and multicomponent stress responses, how to account for individual differences in the effects of stress exposure, and how to assess the predictive accuracy of these models. The project aims to combine Machine Learning and Dynamic Intensive Longitudinal Data techniques to better interpret temporal data.
Your role will focus on applying joint modeling and multilevel modeling (vector-autoregressive multilevel models) to develop dynamic predictive accuracy measures for intensive longitudinal data, such as predicting mood. These models will provide individualized predictions by utilizing random effects. Additionally, you will conduct a limited number of educational activities at the Psychology department, such as small-scale tutorials and guest lectures, in collaboration with your supervisors. The project aims to gain better insights into stress research and provide innovative solutions for predicting and managing stress in everyday life.
Qualifications
- MSc degree (or finishing soon) in psychology, health sciences, statistics, computer science, or a related discipline
- strong interest in Experience Sampling Methods
- knowledge of multilevel models or machine learning approaches
- familiarity with Bayesian statistics or time series analysis
- programming skills in R or Python
- affinity and preferably experience with writing research papers
- good social and communication skills and willing to work with other team members
- enthusiastic about translating scientific insights into practical guidelines and advice
- demonstrable competences as conceptual capacity, presenting, planning and organizing and monitoring.
PhD Benefits
We offer you, following the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:
- a salary of € 2,541 gross per month in the first year of the appointment, rising to € 3,247 gross per month in the fourth year for a full-time position;
- a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income and an 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance
- attractive secondary terms of employment
- the position is classified in accordance with the University Job Classification (UFO) system; the UFO profile is PhD candidate
- a temporary position of 1.0 FTE for four years. You will first be appointed for 12 months. After a positive evaluation, the contract will be extended for the remaining period.
PhD Application
Are you interested in applying? If so, please submit the following documents:
- letter of motivation
- CV (including contact information for at least two academic references)
- transcripts from your bachelor’s and master’s degree
- a research proposal of max. 1000 words of a possible first project.
Only complete applications submitted by the deadline will be taken into consideration.
You may apply for this position until 17 April 11:59pm / before 18 April 2023 Dutch local time (CET) By means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website).
For further information related to this PhD Vacancy, you may contact Dr. Laura Bringmann (it is highly recommended to contact Dr. Bringmann to discuss the project) l.f.bringmann@rug.nl
Please do not use the e-mail address for applications. For further information related to the vacancy, it is strongly advice to visit this PhD Scholarships.
