PhD position in machine learning scientific inference behavioural science

PhD position in machine learning for scientific inference for behavioural science

Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is one of Europe’s leading international research universities.

Applying is possible until: 13 maart 2026

We are looking for a PhD candidate (1.0 fte) who will make machine learning more scientifically useful. At the intersection of statistics, machine learning, and behavioural science, you will develop meta analysis for results from machine learning.

ML methods provide unprecedented flexibility and powerful predictions, which are critical for modeling the complex and often high-dimensional associations underlying human behavior. However, results of ML models are more difficult to interpret than those of traditional statistical methods and uncertainty quantification is rarely provided, making it difficult to obtain generalizable scientific conclusions. We will address this challenge by developing a) methods that produce valid, generalizable and interpretable effect sizes with accurate uncertainty estimates;

b) ML-based meta-analysis, in which results can be compared and combined across studies. The project is led by Dr. Marjolein Fokkema and funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

Your tasks will involve:

• Developing new statistical methods and implementing these in open-source software.
• Testing the new methods through simulation studies and applying them to real-world behavioural science data.
• Publishing results in scientific journals and presenting results at (inter) national conferences.
• Collaborating with researchers from behavioural science and related fields to better understand studies and datasets the methods could be applied to, and facilitating such applications, for example through methodological or software improvements, or the writing of software documentation and tutorials.
• Taking courses and workshops tailored to your development, for example (but not limited to) those offered within the Graduate School of Social and Behavioural Sciences.

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences consists of five institutes: the Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Education and Child Studies, Political Science, and Psychology. The faculty is home to approximately 7,000 students and 1,000 staff members. Our institutes are dedicated not only to education but also to groundbreaking research that expands our understanding of human behavior and societal structures.

What makes our faculty unique is the diversity of research topics, the variety of teaching approaches, and the structure of professional support. This provides you with the opportunity to explore and develop your interests and expertise. For an introduction to our faculty, visit our website:
Welcome to the Leiden Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences – Leiden University.

The Institute of Psychology trains new generations of students to address the challenges of our society, both now and in the future, through leading behavioral science research and education. This is achieved through collaboration, both within and outside the institute, in the field of psychology and related research areas, covering both fundamental and applied aspects. The broad bachelor’s program and a wide range of master’s specializations further contribute to this mission.

Within the institute and the academic community, a dedicated and passionate atmosphere prevails. The themes of Health and Wellbeing, Social-Cognitive-Affective Decision Making, Development and Learning, and Advanced Behavioral Science Methods guide both research and education. The institute places great importance on fostering a safe and inclusive environment, with room for new developments such as open science, recognition and valorization, and interdisciplinarity, which are firmly embedded in the institute’s strategy.

The institute, with approximately 5,000 students and 600 staff members, comprises the Institute Office, the Bachelor’s Education Department, and six research and teaching units:
Health,…