The candidate holds a PhD in psychology, statistics, biostatistics, or a related discipline and has demonstrated strong research capabilities. Extensive experience with quantitative research methods and advanced statistical modeling is essential. Expertise in psychometrics, clinical trial design, and statistical consulting is highly desirable. Prior experience with ESM, VR‑based research, or digital intervention development is a strong asset. The candidate has excellent organizational and supervisory skills, a strong publication record, and thrives in an interdisciplinary research environment. A commitment to open‑science practices and excellent written and spoken English skills (C1 level) are required.
This research program combines Virtual Reality (VR) and the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) to study approach-avoidance processes underlying amotivation, a core negative symptom of psychosis. A key innovation is the development of personalized treatment integrating Ecological Momentary Interventions (EMIs) with VR. As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will lead the program’s methodological and statistical development, including the creation of gold-standard ESM items and advanced analytical approaches for intensive longitudinal data. You will also develop methodological standards and clinical trial designs to study the effectiveness of next-generation digital interventions combining EMIs with VR. Your work will be pivotal for establish the efficacy and clinical significance of the combined EMI-VR approach for treating negative symptoms in young people with psychosis, creating a framework that accelerates testing and evaluation in the rapidly evolving field of digital mental health.
Your Responsibilities:
1. Lead the methodological and statistical development of the project, including psychometric evaluation of ESM items, intensive longitudinal data analysis, and innovative clinical trial designs for digital interventions.
2. Provide high-level statistical consulting and guidance across all project components (VR, ESM, EMI), ensuring robust design, analysis, and interpretation of complex data.
3. Coordinate statistical work across teams, ensuring alignment between analytic strategies, study designs, and methodological objectives.
4. Co-supervise PhD students working on statistical or methodologically intensive aspects of the project.
5. Ensure methodological rigor and scientific quality throughout the research pipeline—from measurement development to intervention evaluation.
6. Contribute to high-impact publications and dissemination, including methodological papers, statistical frameworks, and open-source software development.
This position is part of a recently funded, large-scale research program aimed at creating new treatments for negative symptoms—among the most challenging aspects of psychiatric care. You will join a dynamic, interdisciplinary team of clinical psychologists, experimental psychologists, psychiatrists, and statisticians in an environment that fosters collaboration and scientific excellence.
Join our interdisciplinary team at the Center for Contextual Psychiatry (CCP) and the Methodology of Educational Science Research Group (CMPO) at KU Leuven, one of Europe’s most renowned research universities. The CCP, housed within the Department of Neurosciences in the School of Medicine, is an internationally leading research center specializing in Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM) in mental health research. Under the leadership of Prof. Inez Myin-Germeys, the CCP brings together a vibrant group of 25 researchers from diverse backgrounds and is widely recognized for its expertise in designing, implementing, and analyzing experimental studies and clinical trials. The CMPO, part of the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, is internationally recognized for its expertise in advanced statistical modeling and research methodology, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Prof. Ginette Lafit leads innovative work to advance quantitative methods in ESM study design and drives methodological innovation in intensive longitudinal research. You will join the Methusalem program, an ambitious long-term research initiative dedicated to developing new interventions for the negative symptoms of psychosis. As one of the senior researchers in this program, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of mental health care by leading advanced methodological and statistical work to develop a novel digital intervention for the treatment of negative symptoms of psychosis—one of the most challenging areas of psychiatric care.
We offer a full‑time post‑doctoral position in a world‑class, interdisciplinary research environment, with an initial one‑year contract that may be extended for up to two additional years based on positive performance. The position comes with a competitive salary according to KU Leuven standards and provides a flexible starting date, but no later than July 1, 2026. Interviews will be held on March 30 and April 2.
Interested?
For this application, the following information will be considered:
7. Cover Letter (describing your motivation, research career goals, skills, and experience)
8. CV
9. Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc, MSc, PhD)
10. Contact details of at least two reference persons
11. Other information for consideration (e.g., a list of publications if applicable)
Please use the university’s job portal when applying for this position.
For more information, please contact prof. Ginette Lafit (ginette.lafit@kuleuven.be) or prof. Inez Myin-Germeys (Inez.germeys@kuleuven.be).