Researcher - Biostatistics & Data Analysis

About the role

The Orthopaedics and Traumatology Research Group, together with the Bone and Soft Tissue Infection Unit at Ghent University Hospital, is running a prospective diagnostic accuracy study on chronic periprosthetic joint infections. Data collection is finished and the project is now in the analysis and publication phase. Ghent University is looking for a motivated scientific staff member to support this phase.

Key responsibilities

• Manage, validate and clean the REDCap research database and turn it into analysis-ready datasets, in consultation with the data manager and clinical biologists.
• Perform diagnostic accuracy analyses in R (sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, ROC analysis, agreement statistics) with 95% confidence intervals, reported according to STARD 2015.
• Implement classification algorithms for the diagnostic frameworks and document the code reproducibly.
• Prepare publication-ready tables and figures and contribute to the writing of scientific manuscripts.
• Work closely with a multidisciplinary team of orthopaedic surgeons, microbiologists, clinical biologists, an infectious diseases physician, a pathologist and the Biostatistics Unit.
• Comply strictly with data protection regulations (GDPR), working exclusively with pseudonymised data.

Required profile

• Master's degree in biomedical sciences, bioscience engineering, statistics or data science, bioinformatics, epidemiology, pharmaceutical sciences or a related field, obtained no later than the start date.
• Demonstrable experience with R (or an equivalent statistical programming environment) and a sound knowledge of statistics.
• Able to work independently within a tight timeframe while collaborating constructively in a team.
• Good written and spoken English; fluency in Dutch is an asset.
• Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

Required skills

• R or an equivalent statistical programming environment
• Assets: experience with REDCap or clinical databases; diagnostic study methodology (STARD, ROC and agreement statistics); medical microbiology or infectious diseases; scientific writing

What we offer

• Fixed-term contract of 6 months, starting on 1 January 2027 at the earliest.
• Remuneration on wage scale WM1 to WM4 (master's degree).
• Staff benefits including training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave per year, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers.

Applications are made online through the university's e-recruitment system, with CV, cover letter and diploma transcript; late applications are not accepted. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview in the week of 23 November 2026, possibly with a short practical assignment.