PhD position in Bayesian Evaluation of Single Case Experimental Designs

The NWO-funded project “Accelerating the development of effective psychological treatments for traumatised refugees using Bayesian methodology” is looking for a PhD candidate focused on Bayesian evaluation of single case experimental designs.

Your job

In single case experimental designs (SCEDs), as applied in therapy effect evaluation, 10-15 measurements of 2-4 outcome variables are typically taken over time. Despite the relative small amount of data, a powerful evaluation can be obtained if (i) the therapy effect on all the outcome variables is evaluated simultaneously, and (ii) the direction of the therapy effect on the outcome variables is specified. Therefore, a Bayesian approach for the evaluation of SCEDs will be developed in this PhD project.

To achieve this, Utrecht University and ARQ are collaborating in a new NWO-funded project “Accelerating the development of effective psychological treatments for traumatised refugees using Bayesian methodology”. This project is focused on further developing interventions for traumatised refugees and evaluating these in small-scale studies.The project encompasses two PhD projects: one focused on Bayesian evaluation of single case experimental designs (that is, the methodology that will be used for therapy effect evaluation) and the other focused on treatment development and evaluation. The current vacancy applies to Bayesian evaluation of SCEDs.

As a PhD candidate in this project, your responsibilities will include:

• developing, evaluating and applying Bayesian evaluation of single case experimental designs (to real data resulting from ARQ Centrum'45);
• developing open-access software in R so that therapists and clinical psychologists can use the statistical tools that will be developed;
• writing up findings for publication;
• presenting research findings at conferences and workshops;
• being an active member of the PhD network IOPS (attending courses, giving presentations);
• attending classes and seminars (including those offered at other universities) to further develop your statistical and research skills;
• conducting teaching (10% of the appointment), including undergraduate tutorials.

Your qualities

This position may be the right fit for you, if you:

• hold (or nearly hold) a Master’s degree in Methodology and Statistics, data science, Econometrics, Psychometrics or a related field;
• have programming skills in R;
• have adequate verbal and written communication skills in English;
• are interested in working in an interdisciplinary team consisting of clinical psychologists, therapists, programmers, and statisticians;
• are interested in the problems of, and mental health care for traumatised vulnerable groups

Our offer

We offer:

• a position for four years (a working week of 38 hours) or five years (a working week of 30.4 hours) with a trial period of one year;
• a full-time gross monthly salary between €2,872 in the first year and €3,670 in the fourth year (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.