PhD candidate: Bayesian modeling of longitudinal latent constructs

Are you passionate about Bayesian modelling? Join us to tackle challenges and to advance cutting-edge research in longitudinal latent variable analysis!

Job Description
You will develop advanced Bayesian frameworks for modeling latent constructs over time. By doing so, you address critical challenges such as measurement invariance, model evaluation, and computational demands. You will specifically work on developing models that handle complex latent structures and explore innovative methods to reduce computational burden. Additionally, the role includes conducting simulations to compare Bayesian model checking criteria. By doing so, you aim to enhance the methodological tools available for modelling complex longitudinal latent structures, thereby improving the reliability, validity, and interpretability of findings in psychological and biomedical research.

In this project, your responsibilities will entail:

• Develop Bayesian models for latent constructs in longitudinal data.
• Address challenges in measurement invariance and model evaluation.
• Conduct simulations to assess model performance.
• Present research at conferences and contribute to academic publications.
• Contribute to statistics teaching (maximum 0.1 FTE).

The starting date of the position is flexible, but preferably no later than 1 October 2025.

Requirements
You are motivated, analytical, and creative, with a focus on working in an organized and focused manner. Besides that, you take initiative. Furthermore, you have: 

• Master’s degree in (Bio) statistics, Mathematics, Econometrics, Psychometrics, or a related field. Master students who are in the second year are welcome to apply as well.
• Good mathematical and statistical programming skills, particularly in R.
• Solid background in Bayesian statistics and modeling.
• Experience with longitudinal data analysis is required.
• Experience with latent variable modelling is a plus.
• Effective communication skills in the English language (both written and oral).

What we offer
As a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary from €2901,00 in the first year and €3707,00 gross per month in the fourth year (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1.0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 3 years will follow. 
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model. 
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. 
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'Recognition and Rewards'. 

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM. 

Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience
The Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience (FPN) is an international faculty with students and staff from various cultural backgrounds, who are connected by their shared curiosity about human behaviour and our brains.   

This curiosity inspires us to explore the wide field of psychology from different perspectives (such as a biological and cognitive viewpoint). By using small-scale and student-centred methods, such as problem-based learning and project-based learning, we encourage a similar kind of curiosity in our students, as we provide them with the tools to discover the world of the human brain.  

 
Department

The successful candidate will work in the FPN division of the interfaculty Department of Methodology and Statistics (M&S) at FPN and the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences. 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. M&S has expertise on study design and analysis methods for nested and longitudinal data, Bayesian statistics, multilevel interrater agreement, missing data methods, latent two-mode interaction, structural equation modelling, and causal inference. Visit the M&S page.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Dr. Trung Dung Tran at trungdung.tran@maastrichtuniversity.nl or +31 88 388 7190 for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD candidate? Apply now, no later than 16 February 2025, for this position.

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 preferably take place no later than 7 March 2025. 

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

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.