PhD position in Sentiment Analyses for Wellbeing

Are you excited by the intersection of AI, behavior, and wellbeing? As a PhD candidate, you’ll develop video-based sentiment analysis tools that move wellbeing research beyond surveys and into real life.

Join an Interdisciplinary Project Exploring AI and Human Wellbeing

We are looking for a motivated PhD candidate to join an interdisciplinary project exploring how artificial intelligence can help us better understand and assess human wellbeing. Traditional wellbeing measures such as surveys are limited, as they are static, infrequent, and unable to capture the dynamic nature of everyday life. This project aims to change that by developing AI-driven methods to assess wellbeing through video-based sentiment analyses.

As a PhD student, you will develop and refine machine learning models to analyze multimodal video data (facial expressions, tone, behavior, and speech) for dynamic wellbeing assessment. You will work with open-source datasets as well as video material from participants of the Netherlands Twin Register, integrating genetic and psychological data where relevant. Beyond algorithm development, you will also address methodological challenges such as data quality, bias, and model validity.

This project is a collaboration between the Department of Biological Psychology (Prof. dr. Meike Bartels & dr. Dirk Pelt) and the Department of Computer Science, AI research programme (dr. Emma Beauxis Aussalet & Prof. dr. Mark Hoogendoorn).

Your Profile

Job Requirements

• A (research) master in an area relevant to machine learning (artificial intelligence, computer science, or data science)
• A strong record of computer programming (preferably with experience in pytorch and/or tensorflow)
• Knowledge of statistical methods and programming (R and Python)
• Prior experience in machine learning and ideally also on applications in the health domain and/or for time-series/wearables data, demonstrated by relevant courses and master thesis. Having publications in the area is highly valued as well
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a team member
• Profound interest in wellbeing
• Excellent English writing and speaking skills

What Do We Offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• A salary of minimum € 3.546,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.881,00 (PhD) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile PhD candidate. The exact salary depends on your education and experience
• A position for at least 1 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the PhD-contract will be extended for a total duration of 3 years. Your dissertation at the end of the third year forms the end of your employment contract

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• Optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
• Solid pension scheme (ABP)
• Contribution to commuting expenses

About Us

About the Department

The department of Biological Psychology at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is a world-renowned research and education centre focused on understanding the genetic and biological underpinnings of individual differences in cognition, behaviour, and health. We maintain the Netherlands Twin Register, a unique resource for research on the interplay of genes and environment on brain development, cognitive abilities, personality, behavioural problems, psychiatric disorders, and health and wellbeing. Our researchers have established a large national and international network of collaborators from various disciplines. You will have access to training and professional development opportunities, as well as the chance to work with leading experts in the field of wellbeing research.

Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences
Developing knowledge for an active, healthy and meaningful life: that is our mission at the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences at VU Amsterdam. We maintain a broad focus on the fields of behaviour and health. Our teaching and research programmes are devoted to current developments in society. From healthy aging to e-health, and from training top athletes to social media as a teaching tool. We combine three academic disciplines: psychology, movement sciences and education. A multidisciplinary approach allows us to arrive at a better understanding of human behaviour and movement. Our aims are to help people live healthier lives, learn better and function better.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research.