Vacancy for a postdoctoral researcher in the field of survival analysis

**Vacancy for a postdoctoral researcher in the field of survival analysis** --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *(ref. BAP-2026-665)* *Laatst aangepast: 09/11/26* The research group ORSTAT (Operations Research and Statistics) of KU Leuven (Belgium) is hiring a postdoctoral researcher in the domain of survival analysis, in particular on the topic of ‘Statistical Cure Modeling and Applications for Economic Models in Oncology’. ##### **Responsibilities** This applied research project is financially supported and in close collaboration with MSD (tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA). Advances in oncology therapies are increasingly resulting in a proportion of patients achieving durable remission, especially in early-stage cancers. Statistical modeling for “cure” (or “long term survival”) plays a crucial role in oncology research by providing deeper insights into patient outcomes and treatment effectiveness. To manage the research project, the effort will focus on oncology indications representing an area predominantly affected by the problem. Our proposed research plan to fill the knowledge gap consists of three pillars: (1) Test for sufficient trial follow-up, (2) Test for the existence of a cure fraction based on relative survival, and (3) The use of external data (summary level competitor trials, etc.) for cure models. ##### **Profile** * You have or will have obtained (close to the starting date) a PhD in Statistics or a related discipline. * You have a good publication track record in statistics, preferably in survival analysis. * You are proficient in R programming language, or otherwise willing and able to develop expertise in R programming. * You have a strong interest in the pharmaceutical sector, and are a highly talented and motivated candidate with excellent work ethics. * Some experience in the pharmaceutical sector and/or with applied research projects in collaboration with industrial partners is a plus. * You are fluent in English (written/spoken) and have strong communication and presentation skills. ##### **Offer** We offer a full-time position as a postdoctoral researcher for one year, with a possibility to extend. The tentative starting date is March 1, 2027, but a somewhat later start date is possible depending on the availability of the candidate and the time line of the hiring process. You will work under the supervision of prof. Ingrid Van Keilegom (ORSTAT, KU Leuven) and employees of MSD. You will be located at ORSTAT at KU Leuven (Naamsestraat 69, Leuven, Belgium), where you will find a dynamic and pleasant working environment that is actively involved in scientific research at the highest international level in different domains such as survival analysis, post-model selection inference, time series, discrete choice experiments, … Research projects in these domains are focusing both on fundamental and applied research. This position offers candidates an