We are looking for an enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher to expand and strengthen research on “Healthy Lifestyle through Data Science, Machine Learning, and AI”. Are you excited about the opportunities that data science—especially techniques like reinforcement learning—offers for understanding and influencing health-related behavior? Are you interested in uncovering what works, for whom, and under which circumstances by analyzing complex behavioral data? Do you want to contribute to the development of innovative, adaptive solutions that support healthier lifestyles? And does working in an interdisciplinary team focused on real-world impact appeal to you? Then this position at Wageningen University might be just for you!

FUNCTION

For our research line on Healthy Lifestyle through Data Science, Machine Learning, and AI, we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher for a 3-year position (0.75 FTE).
In this role, you will work closely with Dr. Monique Simons and Dr. Laura Winkens to advance the understanding of what works, for whom, and under which circumstances in the context of lifestyle behavior change. Behavior change is complex because of the many multi-level factors at play and often requires adaptive, personalized interventions that dynamically respond to an individual’s behavior and environment. You will conduct independent research focused on developing and optimizing such adaptive and personalized interventions using cutting-edge data science techniques, including reinforcement learning and other approaches that leverage real-time data.
Your responsibilities include setting up and running new studies independently, working with diverse datasets, developing algorithms and decision rules, and contributing to the refinement of data-driven intervention strategies.

As a postdoctoral researcher within our research team, your tasks will include:

• Mapping the state of the art and identifying and prioritizing research questions in the field of data-driven digital lifestyle interventions;
• Determining the most suitable data science techniques (e.g., machine learning, cluster analysis) to answer specific research questions based on available data.
• Running simulation studies and other pre-intervention analyses to explore potential pathways for behavior change and identify key factors that influence success.
• Applying machine learning, statistical techniques, and AI to analyze data, predict events, and identify patterns that inform behavior change strategies.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including behavioral scientists, data scientists, technology developers, platform owners and healthcare professionals;
• Publishing research results in leading scientific journals and presenting at national and international conferences;
• Actively contributing to the development of follow-up research and obtaining external funding;
• Establishing and coordinating a learning community in the field of Data Science and Healthy Lifestyles to promote knowledge sharing and collaboration.
• A high degree of freedom and space to develop and translate your own ideas into concrete studies;
• Team science: close collaboration within the digital health team;
• A unique opportunity to build or strengthen an (inter)national network both within and outside academia;
• The opportunity to gain experience in teaching in the field of Data Science for Food and Health.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 3,378.- and € 5,331.- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). Initially, we offer you a one-year contract, which is then extended by 2 years if there is mutual enthusiasm. Of course, we would be happy to discuss this with you if you have any questions.
Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 19th consecutive time.