PhD Network Modelling for Food Safety & Regulation

Maastricht University; Maastricht; Hybrid; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Home office allowance

Remote work option

Doctoral training access

Conference publications opportunities

ABP pension

Fitness schemes

University sports facilities

Central Europe location

Job summary

Maastricht University seeks a researcher to develop network modelling approaches for structured food-safety data, covering specification, estimation, validation, and uncertainty analysis. You will analyse diverse data and assess regulatory implications, collaborating with Sciensano and academic partners.

The role includes reproducible research workflows, publishing in international journals, and completing a doctoral dissertation within 18 months with potential extension.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., computer science, data science, statistics)
• Demonstrated programming experience for data analysis or modelling (Python, R, Julia)
• Foundation in network modelling, statistical learning, ML, probabilistic or computational modelling
• Interest in structured, relational, heterogeneous data
• Ability to formulate research questions with methodological and applied relevance
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work independently
• Strong English communication skills (CEFR C1 or higher)

Responsibilities

• Develop new network modelling approaches for structured food-safety data
• Work on model specification, estimation, validation, interpretation, uncertainty assessment, and robustness analysis
• Analyse heterogeneous data relevant to food safety, contaminants, consumption patterns, exposure assessment, and regulatory decision-making
• Investigate how network models can support contaminant risk assessment, monitoring prioritisation, and evidence generation for food safety authorities
• Implement computational methods in reproducible research workflows
• Publish research in international peer-reviewed journals and present findings at academic conferences
• Collaborate with researchers from Maastricht University, Sciensano, and relevant academic or policy-facing partners
• Complete a doctoral dissertation within the agreed timeframe.

Skills

Python

R

Julia

Data analysis

Network modelling

Statistical learning

Machine learning

Probabilistic modelling

Computational modelling

English communication

Education

Master’s degree in a relevant field

Job description

Maastricht University seeks a researcher to develop network modelling approaches for structured food-safety data, covering specification, estimation, validation, and uncertainty analysis. You will analyse diverse data and assess regulatory implications, collaborating with Sciensano and academic partners.

The role includes reproducible research workflows, publishing in international journals, and completing a doctoral dissertation within 18 months with potential extension.