PhD student: Genetic Prediction in Psychiatry

Do you want to develop cutting-edge genetic prediction methods to improve early detection of serious mental illness? Join our ERC-funded PhD project and work with large-scale genetic data in an international research team.

The PersonalRiskProfile project aims to develop advanced genetic prediction methods to improve early identification of individuals at risk for serious mental illness.

Serious mental illness has a major impact on patients, families and society. Early recognition of elevated risk creates important opportunities for prevention and timely intervention. Genetics has strong potential to improve risk identification, but current prediction methods are insufficient.

This project focuses on developing a new multi-disorder prediction approach that integrates different sources of information. You will work with analytical model development, extensive simulation studies and analysis of existing large-scale genetic data.

The project is embedded in the Statistical Genetics Psychiatry Group within the department of Psychiatry at Amsterdam UMC and is funded by the European Research Council (ERC).

As a PhD student, you will contribute to the development of innovative multi-disorder genetic prediction methods in psychiatry. The positions are expected to start in the course of 2026. We are looking to recruit two PhD students for this project.

Your work focuses on integrating multiple sources for prediction, including common and rare genetic variants, family history, ancestry and typical age of onset.

You predict multiple psychiatric disorders simultaneously, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. The project builds on previously developed methods such as DDx-PRS, BPC and CC-GWAS.

• Deriving and extending analytical statistical models;
• Conducting large-scale simulation studies;
• Analyzing real-world genetic datasets;
• Applying and extending existing prediction methods developed within the group;
• Publishing scientific results and collaborating within a multidisciplinary research team.

• An MSc degree, preferably from a research master, in psychology, neuroscience, bioinformatics or a related field. Candidates who will complete their Master's degree in the coming months are also warmly invited to apply.
• Strong interest in statistical methods, advanced data analysis and working with large datasets;
• Experience with programming in R or Python;
• Affinity with scientific writing, preferably demonstrated through prior experience;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

• A flying start to your career in scientific research;
• Plenty of room for your drive to shape tomorrow's healthcare;
• Working on large-scale and in-house research, with motivated colleagues from all over the world;
• You will be employed by Amsterdam UMC Research BV;
• A contract for 12 months, with the intention to extend for a total of 4 years. The Guideline PhD contract applies to this vacancy;
• Salary scale OIO: €3,108 to €3,939 gross based on full-time employment (depending on education and experience) and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. Calculate your net salary here;
• Holiday hours: 190.4 per year for fulltime and a possibility to save additional hours;
• Pension accrual with BeFrank, a modern, comprehensible and fairly priced pension;
• For >7 km each way, 100% reimbursement for public transport travel costs and, for private transport, €0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km each way;
• Do you prefer walking or cycling? Take advantage of our good bike scheme. Moreover, you will receive a reimbursement of €0.18 per km.

Experience with genetic analyses and an interest in psychiatry are considered advantages, but are not required.

Watch this video with more information about joining Amsterdam UMC Research BV.

You will work at Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, within the department of Psychiatry. You join the Statistical Genetics in Psychiatry group, which is embedded in the Genetic Epidemiology group.

You work in a multidisciplinary team of statistical geneticists, psychiatrists and genetic epidemiologists. Collaboration is central, both within the department and across Amsterdam UMC.

In addition, you are part of a broad and active network of genetic researchers in Amsterdam, connected through the Genetics Network Amsterdam. The group works closely with the department of Clinical Genetics, including joint activities in psychiatric genetic consultations. There are also strong links with other medical specialties that focus on implementing genetics in clinical care.

This setting offers a strong and supportive research environment to develop statistical genetic methods and prepare them for clinical implementation in psychiatry and other medical fields.

Amsterdam UMC Research BV supports non-profit scientific research. In doing so, we provide researchers with everything they need to excel. Our principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders offer support in the field of project management, finance and human resources. In medical scientific research projects, legal support is also provided.

Watch the video to find out more.

During the publication period, applications will be handled continuously. If the vacancy is filled, it will be closed prematurely.

If you have any questions about this position, please feel free to contact Dr. Wouter Peyrot, project leader, at w.peyrot@amsterdamumc.nl.

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Chey Edwards, recruitment advisor, at c.i.edwards@amsterdamumc.nl.

A reference check, screening and hiring test may be part of the procedure. Read here whether that applies to you. If you join us, we ask you for a VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct).

Internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates in case of equal suitability.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be considered.