Van Smeden his research interests include medical statistics, epidemiology and prediction modelling. During the corona crisis, Van Smeden started to focus on prediction models for the coronavirus disease (covid-19). Together with Laure Wynants (Maastricht University), he led an international research team that analysed the reliability of current prediction models.

Between 2017 and 2020, Van Smeden was a senior researcher at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). Here, he focused on the development of statistical methods for using routinely collected healthcare data in epidemiology.

Van Smeden finished his PhD in Medical Statistics and Epidemiology at Utrecht University in 2016. Het holds two master degrees from Utrecht University in statistics and epidemiology.