Job opening: PhD candidate in Methodology and Statistics

Tilburg University | Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

is looking for a PHD candidate

PhD candidate in Methodology and Statistics

On the topic of Nonlinear Dynamical Processes in Behavioral Sciences

Department: Methodology and Statistics

Location: Tilburg

Contract size: 1.0 fte (40 hours per week)

Full-time gross monthly salary: €3.059 – €3.881 

Contract duration: 12 months with a possible extension of 36 months.

Desired starting date: September 2026

Do you want to develop new stochastic adaptive network models for psychopathology? And do you want to implement estimation methods to validate these stochastic adaptive network models against experience sampling data?

Your position

The PhD project will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Ir. Joris Mulder (Dept. of Methodology & Statistics), Dr. Udo Böhm and Dr. Sophie Hendrikse. You will develop new stochastic network models and estimation methods that bridge the gap between psychopathology, mathematical modelling and dynamical systems modelling. Self-modelling networks describe how human behaviour is shaped by the dynamic interplay of various extrinsic (e.g., social interactions) and intrinsic (e.g., neurophysiology) factors. To capture the stochastic nature of these processes, you will extend the currently prevalent deterministic modelling framework with a stochastic component. This involves deriving network topologies and their dynamic functioning (i.e., combination functions) from the mental health literature, specifying suitable noise terms based on mathematical principles, developing and implementing model estimation methods, and validating models using event-sampling data.

Your background

For this cutting-edge, multidisciplinary project we are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate with a background in social sciences with a strong quantitative component (e.g., psychological methods, cognitive science) or with a background in exact sciences with an affinity for social science applications (e.g., artificial intelligence, applied mathematics, statistics).

Other requirements include:

• A (nearly) completed (research) master’s thesis in a relevant area,


• Advanced programming skills in R,


• Research skills and data analytical abilities,


• Team work, project management and organization skills,


• Good communication skills in English, including academic writing,


• Interest in providing small-scale education, such as teaching working groups or bachelor thesis supervision.

The department

The project will be embedded in Tilburg University’s Department Methodology and Statistics (MTO). The department is home to leading international experts in Bayesian statistics, longitudinal methods, psychometrics and data science. We offer a cooperative, intellectually stimulating environment, learning opportunities on the latest developments in statistics and machine learning, and opportunities for international collaboration and research internships.

Our offer

Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment:

• A position based on 1.0 fte (40 hours per week).


• A salary of minimum €3.059 and maximum €3.881gross per month for full-time employment, based on UFO profile PhD and salary scale PhD. Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant work experience.


• This is a vacancy for for a PhD in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 8 sub b CLA DU. You will initially be given a temporary contract for the duration of 12 months.


• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.


• Over 8 weeks of vacation leave.


• The opportunity to work partly on campus and partly from home with a home office allowance of €2 per day.


• Reimbursement for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport.


• A monthly internet allowance of €25.


• An options model in which you exchange benefits for things such as additional leave, more pension, a bicycle or personal training at our Sports Center.


• A moving allowance (subject to conditions).


• Employees from abroad may be eligible for a tax-free allowance for extraterritorial expenses equal to 30% of taxable salary.


• A pension with ABP; the largest Dutch pension fund.


• Training in personal development, career development, leadership, education, and research. Or a language course at our Language Center.


• A work culture in which we embrace differences, everyone is welcome and given equal opportunities.


• A vibrant campus in green surroundings that is easily accessible by public transport.

For more information, see our Working at Tilburg University | Tilburg University and the CLA Dutch Universities.

Information and application

Would you like to know more before applying? Feel free to contact Joris Mulder via [email protected].

We kindly invite you to apply before June 30, 2026; this can only be done online. Address your cover letter to Prof. Dr. Joris Mulder. Your application should include:

1. Letter of motivation, including research area/topics of interest


2. Curriculum vitae


3. List of grades (transcripts)


4. A sample of your academic writing (e.g. bachelor/master thesis, paper). If you are currently working on your master thesis, feel free to submit your thesis draft.

You will receive notification from us shortly after the letter selection. The first selection interviews will take place shortly after the deadline has ended.

The selection committee consists of:

1.         Prof. Dr. Ir. Joris Mulder

2.         Dr. Udo Böhm

3.         Dr. Sophie Hendrikse

The project is planned to start on September 1st, 2026. We can slightly deviate from this starting date if needed.

About Tilburg University 

Tilburg University is an academic, inclusive, and engaged community. Together with nearly 3,000 employees, we are committed to broad prosperity, sustainably, and inclusion. For current and future generations. We develop and share knowledge for the requirements of people and our society. This is how we contribute to solving complex social issues and help society move forward.

We educate our 19,500 students of 110 nationalities to become responsible leaders with knowledge, skills, and character. With our education and research for broad prosperity, we exceedingly focus on themes such as mental and preventive care, an inclusive labor market, the energy transition, and digitalization.

About Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral sciences

Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (TSB) is one of the five faculties of Tilburg University. The teaching and research of the Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences are organized around the themes of “Adaptive societies, organizations, and workers”, “Healthy life span”, and “Personalized prevention and care”. The School’s inspiring working environment challenges its workers to realize their ambitions, involvement and cooperation are essential to achieve this.  
Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences | Tilburg University

Department Methodology and Statistics

The Department of Methodology and Statistics is responsible for education and research in methodology and statistics for the social and behavioral sciences. Methodology and statistics play an essential role in all subfields of the social and behavioral sciences, and related fields. At the Department of Methodology and Statistics we do research on and teach about quantitative and qualitative methods that researchers need in order to answer challenging research questions, come up with strong research designs, critically apply statistical analyses, and avoid bias when interpreting research findings. Within the department, there is a strong focus on developing novel statistical and methodological techniques to tackle complex problems in the social and behavioral sciences.

Link to our website: Department Methodology and Statistics | Tilburg University

Application Code

Tilburg University uses the NVP job application code.

Disclaimer

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