PhD Position in Data Science for Digital Proxies of Reward, Motivation and Impulsivity

The University of Groningen offers a four‑year PhD position within an international, interdisciplinary project that aims to create a transdiagnostic precision‑medicine framework centred on reward, motivation and impulsivity. The research combines systematic evidence synthesis, data‑science development of digital proxies, and hypothesis testing with neurobiological markers across major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and obesity. The candidate will conduct systematic reviews, develop and apply data‑driven digital measures, and analyse longitudinal clinical datasets to assess their transdiagnostic relevance. Close collaboration with experts in longitudinal cohort studies, biomarker discovery and clinical validation is expected. Successful applicants will contribute to high‑impact publications and the broader field of digital health.

• Conduct a systematic review of existing digital proxies related to reward, motivation and impulsivity.
• Develop and validate data‑driven digital measures using statistical and machine‑learning techniques.
• Apply the digital proxies to longitudinal and clinical datasets to identify meaningful patterns across disease trajectories.
• Test hypotheses linking digital proxies to neurobiological markers and clinical outcomes.
• Assess the transdiagnostic relevance of digital measures for mental and metabolic health conditions.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members in biomarker research, clinical validation and evidence synthesis.