Vacancy PhD candidate 'Statistical genetics'

Job description

Are you passionate about improving diagnostics and care for people with rare diseases? As a PhD candidate in bioinformatics or genomics at Radboudumc, you will develop statistical and computational methods to uncover novel gene-disease associations, investigate disease mechanisms, and link genomic findings to clinical outcomes.

You will be part of a large pan-European research initiative that brings together researchers, clinicians, and patient communities. Your project focuses on analyzing multi-omics sequencing data from thousands of patients with rare genetic disorders, using both distributed and federated computational approaches.

• Analyzing large-scale genomic datasets using innovative computational techniques.
• Integrating genomic, functional, and clinical data to explore disease mechanisms and identify new gene-disease associations.
• Contributing to international discovery efforts, such as annual “Solvathons” and multi-center data challenges.
• Collaborating within Data Interpretation Task Forces (DITFs) to improve variant interpretation and assess the clinical relevance of both coding and non-coding variants.
• Helping to shape best practice guidelines for genomic data interpretation across European Reference Networks (ERNs).

What we offer
This PhD position provides the opportunity to work at the interface of genomics, data science, and clinical research in a highly collaborative and international environment. You will benefit from strong mentorship, access to unique datasets, and the chance to make a direct impact on rare disease diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. 

Place of work

At Radboudumc, you will work in a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary, and international environment. We are a leading European center for genomic medicine and rare disease research, with strong connections to clinicians, patients, and European initiatives such as ERDERA. What sets us apart is our unique position at the interface of bioinformatics, clinical genetics, and patient care. This ensures that your work will have direct clinical relevance and impact.

You will join a dynamic bioinformatics research group that combines technical excellence with strong clinical focus. You will have access to cutting-edge datasets, advanced computational infrastructure, and dedicated mentorship.

The position is based at Radboudumc in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. We support flexible and hybrid working arrangements, including the possibility to work from home part of the week. At the same time, we expect regular in-person collaboration on campus to foster team interaction and shared learning.

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where scientific breakthroughs are born through the curiosity and passion of our collaborating researchers in a vibrant environment. We believe trust and excitement are crucial elements to achieving our goals, and we approach our research as teams and with the utmost rigor to make a significant impact on health and healthcare. Our researchers are driven by their fascination with the biological, psychological, and sociological mechanisms underlying health and healthcare. They collaborate with partners from all over the world to improve health outcomes for all. Radboudumc unites patient care, research, education, and corporate learning, which allows us to approach our mission to shape the health and healthcare of the future in an innovative and person-centered way.

Our ambition is to lead the way in the pursuit of prevention, sustainability, meaningful care. We believe that through our research, we can significantly improve the health and well-being of society. Join us on our mission to make a difference in healthcare. Become a part of our community of gifted researchers, professionals or patient partners who are dedicated to making a real impact on population health and healthcare. 

Read what it is like to do a PhD at the Radboud University Medical Center.

Profile

You are a motivated researcher with a strong interest in genetics, data analysis, and international collaboration. You recognize yourself in the following profile:

• You hold (or are about to complete) a Master’s degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science, or a related field.
• You have strong programming and data analysis skills, for example in Python, R, and Linux.
• You are passionate about applying computational methods to biomedical challenges.
• You have a keen interest in genetics, genomics, and the biology of rare diseases.
• You are able to work independently while thriving in a collaborative, international research environment.

Employment conditions

At Radboud university medical center, you build on your future. We are committed to providing the best care, education, and research. And we are true to our word, because we help you develop and seize opportunities and give you the room to grow. As an employer, we believe that employees should feel vital and happy at work in all stages of life. We are also committed to creating a healthy and safe working environment. Our employment conditions contribute to that. What we offer:

• Upon commencement of employment, you will start at scale 10A, step 0 (€ 3.108 based on a full-time appointment). Over a maximum period of 4 years, you will progress to scale 10A, step 3 (€3.939 based on a full-time appointment). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a 47% to 72% bonus for working unsocial hours.
• 176 vacation hours per year based on a 36-hour working week. 

And there is more..

• An Employment Conditions Selection Model, allowing you to use part of your employment conditions to your choosing. For example, you can use your gross salary to purchase additional vacation hours or hours for providing informal caregiving. Or, for example, you can use your gross end-of-year bonus to purchase a bicycle, so you pay less tax.
• Plenty of opportunities for personal development. You can take a variety of courses in our online learning environment. 
• Your well-being and vitality are a priority. For example:
  • Save time for work-life balance leave. 
  • You can enjoy unlimited access to a variety of activities five days a month and take advantage of all the facilities at Radboud Sport & Culture for only €27.05 per month (instead of €41)
  • Healthy Professionals program to help you manage your energy. 
  • Company Support Team and a personal coach if you are going through a life-changing event.
  • Financially beneficial working less through a Generation Scheme as you approach state pension age.
• Support in achieving a good work-life balance at every stage of your life. Examples:
  • Advice and courses on, for example, 'Millennial dilemmas' and 'Your Career After 57'.
  • Activities at our own mindfulness center.
  • Informal caregiving consultations if you have questions about juggling work and caregiving responsibilities at home.
• In addition to statutory pregnancy and maternity leave, Radboud university medical center offers 26 weeks of parental leave, nine of which are paid. In addition, as a partner you can take a maximum of five weeks of supplementary partner leave. During supplementary partner leave and parental leave, we supplement the UWV benefit up to 100% of your salary.
• Pension accrual at the ABP Pension Fund. Radboud university medical center pays 70% of the pension premium. 
• Discounts on supplementary packages of two group health insurances and ten other types of insurance, from home insurance to legal assistance.
• An allowance for your commuting costs of € 0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km one way. If you use public transport to commute, we will fully reimburse the public transport costs (2nd class). If you regularly work from home, you will receive a working from home allowance of € 2.40 per day.

 

Application procedure

Are you ready to think further for our patients and our care? We would like to receive your application before 6 October 2025. We will then contact you shortly.

Good to know

• This position requires a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).
• You can find more information about our application procedure and frequently asked questions on our website.
• Will you be our new colleague? Then you will be given the time and space to get to know your role, your workplace, and your colleagues. An induction day for all new colleagues is an integral part of your onboarding program. 

We are recruiting for this position ourselves. Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated, but do feel free to share the vacancy in your network!

Contact

Any questions? Or wondering what it is like to work at Radboudumc? Then sent an email to Prof.dr. Christian Gilissen, Full Professor. Use the Apply button to submit your application.