Job Information
- Organisation/Company: National Institute for Public Health and the Environment
- Department: Centre for infectious Disease Control (CIb) | Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Diagnostics and laboratory Surveillance (IDS)
Offer Description
About DETECTIVE
DETECTIVE (Data driven Excellence in Training of Epidemiological, Clinical, Technological and Innovative Virus Experts) is an EU-funded MSCA training programme aimed at developing new, data-driven methods to anticipate, detect and respond to emerging viral threats at an earlier stage than before. Coordinated by Prof. Dr. Heli Harvala, Professor of Virology at the University of Turku in Finland, the network brings together 8 academic institutions and 14 associated partners from across Europe.
Within DETECTIVE, researchers will develop innovative methods used to detect emerging pathogens earlier, understand who is most at risk, and translate the complex multi-source data into real-time, evidence-based decisions and clinical applications. The project's overall goal is to establish a unified, end-to-end epidemic-intelligence frame work, enhancing Europe's capacity to respond to threats quickly and in a coordinated manner. This will be achieved by an integrated approach combining virology, evolutionary genomics, epidemiology, diagnostics and AI-based analytical methods.
Background of Project DC4
Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases represent one of the greatest threats to global health and societal stability in the 21st century. This PhD position focuses on developing and implementing an automated, AI‑assisted virus culture and characterisation platform. You will integrate next‑generation sequencing (NGS), serology and image‑based AI with practical virological diagnostics to enable faster, smarter detection and characterisation of emerging viral pathogens. Enteroviruses, with their diverse culture characteristics, will be an ideal training ground to develop methods that can later be applied to other emerging viruses.
You will work on several aspects ranging from high‑throughput isolation of outbreak strains using AI, to mapping antigenic divergence for epidemic risk assessment, and generating fully characterised virus panels to support diagnostic and surveillance laboratories across Europe. In addition, you will consider ethical and practical aspects of data sharing and biobanking in the context of epidemic preparedness.
You will join the PhD program at the Graduate School of Life Sciences https://www.uu.nl/en/education/graduate-school-of-life-sciences.
Job Description
For the innovative DETECTIVE project ("Data driven Excellence in Training of Epidemiological, Clinical, Technological and Innovative Virus Experts"), we are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate who is motivated to obtain a doctorate that combines cutting‑edge virological laboratory techniques with bioinformatics and AI‑based data analysis.
During this four‑year PhD trajectory you will:
- Develop and optimise automated, AI‑based virus culture workflows, including image‑analysis algorithms to detect cytopathic effects earlier and more consistently than traditional read‑outs for a broad range of viruses, using enteroviruses as a model system.
- Perform laboratory experiments, including sample handling, cell culture, virus isolation, nucleic‑acid extraction and NGS library preparation.
- Integrate sequencing and serological data to link genotype, phenotype and antigenic characteristics of virus isolates, including risk analyses for clinical and public‑health purposes.
- Linking culture‑based detection to functional assays (in collaboration other DCs in DETECTIVE) to validate phenotypic findings in organoid platforms and explore implications for vaccine and antiviral research.
- Establish and refine reduced‑serum (low‑FBS) culture strategies to improve standardisation and sustainability of virus isolation.
- Contribute to building and maintaining a central biobank of fully characterised virus isolates and associated metadata for future diagnostic and research use.
- Collaborate with colleagues on quality‑control panels and harmonized laboratory protocols regarding isolation, serology and sequencing for European surveillance laboratories within the DETECTIVE network.
- Analyse and interpret complex datasets of the integrated workflow (culture, NGS and serology) with bioinformatics and data‑science tools, in close collaboration with the DETECTIVE DCs and partners and with national and international partners.
- Publish your results in scientific journals, present at (inter)national conferences, and translate your findings into practical recommendations for diagnostics and public health.
Alongside scientific expertise, you will develop personal and professional skills through training modules within the doctoral programme, for example in project and time management, scientific communication and advanced data analysis. The skills you acquire during this PhD will provide a strong foundation for a career in research, healthcare or public health.
The PhD will be hosted at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in the Netherlands. You will be enrolled as a PhD candidate at Utrecht University. You will be guided during your research project by Prof Dr Chantal Reusken (RIVM/University of Utrecht) and Dr Kimberley Benschop (RIVM), with support also provided by our AI RIVM team. This PhD project will run from 2027 through 2030. You can apply for this position until the 8th of October 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.
Requirements
- A completed Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology or a closely related field.
- Experience with virological molecular techniques and/or molecular biology. Experience with virus culture and/or next‑generation sequencing is an advantage.
- Affinity with virology, data analysis and processing, and bioinformatics.
- Strong interest in interdisciplinary research and innovation.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (minimum C1/C2 CEFR level).
- An interest in self-development and working in a multidisciplinary research group.
- Have not resided/carried out work or studies in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the April 1st, 2027.
- We always request a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG); the application is coordinated by RIVM and the costs can be reclaimed.
- As part of the selection process, we may consult LinkedIn to obtain a complete picture of your professional background.
At RIVM you are welcome as you are. We believe that diversity strengthens cooperation and results, and we value employee involvement in employee participation bodies.
MSCA Eligibility Requirements
Mobility Rule
Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding recruitment (1 March 2027).
Doctoral Degree Requirement
Applicants must not hold a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment.
What we offer
- 4 year employment contract for the duration of the PhD programme, with a probationary period of 2 months.
- The opportunity to work on large-scale and in-house research with motivated colleagues
- Planned secondments at University Hospital Vall Hebron (Barcelona, Spain), Quality Control for Molecular Diagnostics (Glasgow, UK), and University of Turku. For your secondments you will be guided by Dr. Andres Anton Pagarolas/Dr. Cristina Andrés Vergés, Dr. Elaine McCulloch, Prof. Heli Harvala.
- Interdisciplinary network-wide training schools (one week each): 1) Foundations in Virology, Bioinformatics and Epidemiology; 2) Advanced Integration of Scientific, Diagnostic and Public Health Virology, and 3) Translational Virology and connecting Academia, Clinical Practice and Public Health for Pandemic Preparedness.
- Individually tailored career development plan and personal empowerment program.
- Laptop and phone for work.
- Gross monthly salary ranging from €3334 - €4133 (Scale 8 CAO Rijksoverheid) in accordance with the rules of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks programme. The financial package includes a living allowance, a mobility allowance, and, where applicable, a family allowance.
- Individual Elective Budget (IEB) of 16.5% of your gross annual salary (money), which you can have paid out when you choose, convert into leave (and vice versa) or spend on tax efficient options (e.g. bicycle, study programme).
- 144 hours of statutory holiday leave per year (full time, 36 hours/week). And 64 IEB hours per year, which you can use as extra leave, have paid out, or save for short or long term leave.
- Trayport possibilities consist of full reimbursement of public transport second class commuting and business travel via the Mobility Card; or private transport (car, etc.): €0.07 per km (low allowance rate); or bicycle: €0.23 per km (high allowance rate)
- Possibility of hybrid working for not location dependent roles, including a homeworking allowance and facilities for an ergonomic home workstation, in consultation with your manager.
- Pension with approximately 70% of the contribution paid by the employer and 30% by the employee.
About the host institution
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment | RIVM in the Netherlands is a governmental research institute that supports a healthy population living in a safe, sustainable environment. RIVM conducts independent scientific research and translates evidence into clear advice for national and international authorities, professionals and citizens. Its work underpins Dutch public health and environmental policy, and contributes to prevention programmes, health monitoring and crisis management. RIVM's activities cover four thematic domains: Infectious Disease Control, Environment and Safety, Public Health and Health Services, and Prevention Programmes and Public Health Upscaling. Within Infectious Disease Control, the Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, Diagnostics and Screening (IDS) and the Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb) play a central role in surveillance, diagnostics, guideline development and outbreak response. CIb coordinates multidisciplinary guidelines, promotes quality and uniformity in infectious‑disease control, and strengthens international cooperation. The laboratories within IDS provide reference and diagnostic services for a broad range of pathogens and increasingly apply advanced diagnostic and surveillance methods. You will work in the Virology section containing a team of over 60 colleagues working on diagnostics, laboratory surveillance and research into viral infections. Our staff are closely involved in outbreak investigations and laboratory pandemic preparedness. For this we collaborate intensively with epidemiologists, immunologists and clinicians in the Netherlands and abroad.
How to Apply
Complete the DETECTIVE Application Form and provide the following documents:
Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)
Motivation Letter (maximum 1 page)
Details for two references
VIA THIS LINK: Webropol Link
Application must be completed by 8 October 2026.
Further Information
For questions regarding the position, research project, or application process, please contact: Dr Kim Benschop; kim.benschop@rivm.nl
Where to apply
Website: https://virusdetective.eu/
Additional Information
MSCA Eligibility Requirements
Mobility Rule
Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding recruitment (1 March 2027).
Doctoral Degree Requirement
Applicants must not hold a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment.
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 1
- Company/Institute: National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)
- Country: Netherlands
Contact
- City: Bilthoven
- Website: https://virusdetective.eu/, https://www.rivm.nl/
- Street: Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9
- Postal Code: 3721 MA
- E-Mail: kim.benschop@rivm.nl
- Phone: 0654630852
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