PhD Candidate Designing Smarter Trials for Better Value in Healthcare

Welcome to Maastricht University! 
Are you interested in developing procedures for sample size calculation for cost-effectiveness trials?  Join us to develop novel procedures for the design and sample size calculation of cluster-randomized trials that have cost-effectiveness as outcome.   

PhD Candidate Designing Smarter Trials for Better Value in Healthcare

• Our goal: To develop efficient and innovative statistical procedures for sample size calculation in cost effectiveness cluster randomized trials, with the goal to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare research.
• Your colleagues: you will work in the FHML division of the interfaculty Department of Methodology and Statistics (M&S) at FHML and at the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience. With around 20 staff members, M&S provides statistics education across multiple Bachelor, Master, and PhD programs. The department also offers statistical support for researchers from both faculties. Initially focused on study design and analysis methods for nested and longitudinal data, M&S now includes Bayesian statistics, multilevel interrater agreement, missing data methods, latent two-mode interaction, structural equation modelling, and causal inference. Visit the M&S page

We are looking for a motivated PhD candidate for a statistical project on efficient designs and sample size calculation for cost-effectiveness cluster randomized trials. The project focuses on developing statistical methods that optimize trial efficiency: achieving a required statistical power level or a limited width of the confidence interval at the lowest possible research costs.
The research will specifically address cost-effectiveness outcomes in cluster randomized trials, where participants are naturally grouped within clusters such as schools, workplaces, or healthcare settings. You will develop and evaluate innovative approaches for determining optimal sample sizes and study designs, including precision-based approaches, robust design strategies (e.g. Bayesian and maximin approaches), and decision-based approaches to trial design. The project combines statistical theory, mathematical derivation, simulation studies, and applications in health economics and clinical research. The methods developed in this PhD project will contribute to more efficient and informative healthcare studies and support better evidence-based decision-making.

What you do
In this project, your responsibilities will entail:

• Derive efficient and innovative procedures for sample size calculation in cluster randomized trials where a measure of cost-effectiveness is the primary outcome variable of the study.
• Conduct simulations to evaluate approximate sample size formulas and assess their performance across different scenarios.
• Develop user-friendly interactive apps/software packages/code that facilitate the implementation of sample size procedures for researchers and practitioners.
• Present research at conferences and publish results in international methodological journals.
• Contribute to teaching activities within the department (at most 0.1 fte).

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you. 

What you bring 
We’re not looking for checkboxes; we’re interested in who you are and what you bring. Do you recognize yourself in this?

You take initiative, are creative, and possess strong analytical skills. You work in an organized and focused manner. In addition, you are someone who can work independently while also collaborating effectively within a research team. Furthermore, you bring:

• Master’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Econometrics, Biostatistics, Psychometrics or a related field.
• Excellent mathematical and statistical programming skills, particularly in R, as demonstrated by your master's thesis or other scientific work.  
• Excellent communication and academic writing skills in English (an official certificate of English proficiency (e.g., IELTS) is considered an asset).
• Interest in Bayesian methods, sample size methodology and simulation studies.
• Experience with Bayesian statistics and Bayesian computational tools is a plus.

What we offer 
At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer: 

• A 12-month contract (1,0 FTE) with the prospect of a 3-year extension.
• A gross monthly salary between €3.059 and €3.881 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours.
• Flexible working hours, a home office allowance, and the option to work from home.
• Freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas.
• A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with.
• A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities.
• An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe. 

About the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML)
FHML is committed to health in the broadest sense: from molecule to human, and from healthcare to prevention. We train healthcare professionals and researchers through innovative educational programmes and conduct groundbreaking research in health and well-being. As part of Maastricht UMC+ (MUMC+), our international and interdisciplinary community forms a unique collaboration between university and academic hospital, where education, research, and care come together.

Interested?
Want to know more about this position or what it’s like to work at our university? Reach out to Dr. M. Candel at at math.candel@maastrichtuniversity.nl or +31 (0)43 388 2273 for more information. The end date for application is 21 June 2026.

Please upload your motivation letter, CV (also mention the topic of your master thesis), grade list of your bachelor and master studies, and, if possible, contact information of two referees. Please upload all of these (in that order) in one PDF document.

The first interviews take place between 25 June 2026 and 3 July 2026. The selection process may include an assignment or a presentation.

The starting date of the position is flexible, but preferably before 1 September 2026.

Apply now via the button below. We look forward to getting to know you!

About Maastricht University
At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,300 students and 5,400 employees across 5 regional locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities for yourself and the world around you. Together, we can find the answers for tomorrow. 

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

At Maastricht University, we prefer to contact potential candidates directly. We therefore kindly ask that no agencies or intermediaries submit offers or approaches.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.