Clinical Data Scientist – EEG & fNIRS

CHDR; Leiden; Remote; EUR 45,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ABP pension

8% holiday allowance

End-of-year bonus

Diversity Day

Friday drinks

Annual Christmas dinner

Access to OpenUp mental health service

Job summary

CHDR seeks a Clinical Data Scientist to develop and validate methods combining EEG and fNIRS for early-phase clinical trials, building on CHDR’s EEG expertise. You will design multimodal measurement methods, validate pipelines, and contribute to biomarker development within the Biomarker Engineering & Analytics department.

You will collaborate on sponsored analyses, publish findings, and support clinical trials; a PhD thesis is planned.

Qualifications

• MSc in biomedical engineering or related field.
• Knowledge of biomedical signal processing.
• Knowledge of statistical and computational data analysis methods (time-series analysis, modelling, ML).
• Good communications skills in English; team player.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and validate a multimodal system for simultaneous EEG and fNIRS data.
• Design and conduct studies to evaluate performance for early-phase clinical trials.
• Develop and validate reproducible pipelines for processing and analysing EEG and fNIRS data.
• Disseminate research findings through publications and conference presentations.

Skills

Biomedical signal processing

Time-series analysis

Statistical modelling

Machine learning

Python

MATLAB

Education

MSc in biomedical engineering or related field

Tools

Python

MATLAB

R

Job description

This position is only open to candidates who are currently residing in the Netherlands. Applications from candidates living outside the Netherlands will not be considered. Candidates who have already completed a PhD will also not be considered for this position.

About the role

As aClinical Data Scientist, you willdevelop and validatemethods thatcombineelectroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) for use in early-phase clinical trials.Building onCHDR’s extensiveexperience in EEG recording and analysis,you willexplorehow simultaneousEEG and fNIRSmeasurementscan helpcharacterizedrug effects on brainfunction.You will develop multimodal measurementmethods, design and conduct validation studies, andcreatesignal processing and data analysispipelines.This research is intended to leadto a PhD thesis.

Alongsideyourmain research project,you will be an active member of the Biomarker Engineering & Analytics department.Youwillcontribute to sponsored analysis projects,helpdevelop and validate otherbiomarker methods, and participate in the broader scientific and operational activities of the department. Your mainresponsibilities will beto:

• Design, implement,and validate a multimodal system for simultaneous acquisition of EEG andfNIRSdata.
• Design andconductstudies toevaluatethe performance andsuitability ofthese methods for early-phaseclinical trials.
• Developand validatereproducible pipelinesforprocessingand analysingEEG andfNIRS data.
• Providescientific and technical expertise, andsupport the execution ofclinical trialsand departmentalbiomarker development projects.
• Disseminateresearchfindingsthrough scientific publications and conference presentations.

What you bring to CHDR

We are looking for an analytical and independent individual who enjoys solving complex problems and takes initiative in their work. You are flexible, adapt easily to changing priorities, and thrive in a dynamic environment. At the same time, you are a true team player who values collaboration and contributes positively to the team. As a fast learner, you quickly grasp new concepts, acquire new skills with ease, and are eager to continuously develop yourself.Additionally, you bring:

• MSc in a relevant technicaldiscipline, such asbiomedicalengineering, electrical engineering,or computer science.
• Knowledgeof andexperience in biomedical signal processing.
• Knowledge ofstatisticaland computational methodsfordata analysis, such astime-series analysis,statistical modelling,andmachine learning.
• Strongprogramming and scriptingskillsin one or more relevant languages, such asPython, MATLAB, orR.
• Goodcommunicationskillsand proficiency inspoken and written English.
• Experiencewith EEGand/orfNIRS isan advantage.

This is how CHDR supports you

At CHDR, you will receive a one-year contract for a minimum of 32 hours per week, with the possibility ofa permanent position.You will work in a variedrole within a professional and growing organisation, with plenty of opportunity to contribute your ideas. The main employment benefits (based on a 40-hour working week) include:

• A salary between €3,990,and €5,755, depending on your experience;
• A solid pension schemethroughthe ABP pension fund, 8% holiday allowance, and an end-of-year bonus ranging from a minimum of 3.8% up to a maximum of 12%, depending on the organisation’s results;
• 25 vacation days per year, plus one Diversity Day;
• Opportunities for personal development through training programmes and certifications;
• Our office is located in an excellent location: directlynext to LeidenCentral Station, making it easily accessible by public transport.Your travel expenses are reimbursed up to 100%, or you can choose to purchase a (electric) bicycle at a discount.

CHDR also contributes to a pleasant working environment byorganisingFriday afternoondrinks, an annual Christmas dinner, and a team outing to the Ardennes, which further strengthens the connection betweencolleagues. In addition, CHDR provides free access to OpenUp, an online platform focused on mental health, resilience, and personal development, offering masterclasses, group sessions, and one-on-one coaching conversations. This service is also available to family members.

About CHDR

The Centre for Human Drug Research (CHDR) is a foundation located inthe Leiden Bio Science Park. Since its establishment in 1987, CHDR has grown into an innovative institute specialising in clinical drug development. Each year, we conduct dozens of studies involvinghealthy volunteers and patients. We work closely withuniversities,university medicalcentres, major hospitals, andscientists from around the world. Together, we do this with a team of approximately 300 permanent colleagues. In addition, more than 100 students work with us each year to gain valuable experience and contribute to our research.

Applications are open until18 October2026.The vacancy may close earlier if we receive a sufficientnumber of suitable applications.

Centre for Human Drug Research, Zernikedreef 8, 2333 CL Leiden, the Netherlands. Tel.: [phone].