PhD position in Quantifying the impact of nationwide screening for cardiovascular disease chronic kidney disease and Diabetes Mellitus type 2

The challenge is to transform healthcare through early detection and treatment of diseases. Cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, and type 2 diabetes severely impact the quality of life of individuals affected by these conditions, and lead to invasive treatments and high costs if not treated early. There is however no nationwide screening program to detect these conditions and start treatment early. Therefore, the Check@Home consortium will develop a roadmap and infrastructure for an accessible and (cost-)effective national program for the early detection and treatment of these diseases. During the Check@Home study, 160,000 Dutch citizens will be invited to apply a home-based screening test. Upon detection of early signs of chronic diseases, lifestyle intervention and medication may be initiated to prevent further progression. Through this research, you will craft the healthcare of the future and impact the lives of thousands!

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is essential to enable efficient and sustainable healthcare. We are seeking a PhD candidate who wants focus on HTA, that is, work at the intersection of healthcare, technology and society. This requires a deep understanding of both healthcare and technology, and solid quantitative skills. Using the evidence collected during the Check@Home study and simulation modelling, the successful applicant will be responsible for assessing the health economic impact of the Check@Home multi-disease screening program, to support its nationwide implementation. Beyond this unique project, this exciting position offers the opportunity to enhance existing simulation approaches in HTA!

Your profile

We look for a highly motivated researcher who is driven by curiosity and:

Has affinity with statistical or mathematical modelling, and (some) programming experience, preferably in R;

Has, or will shortly acquire, a quantitative master degree (for example, in Health Economics, Econometrics, Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics/Statistics, or Computer Sciences)

Has a good team spirit and likes to work in an interdisciplinary environment;

Is able to perform independent research and willing to develop writing and publication skills;

Possesses good communication skills and an excellent command of English. Dutch proficiency would be desirable.

Our offer

We encourage high responsibility and independence, while collaborating with colleagues, researchers, other university staff and partners. We follow the terms of employment by the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Universities (CAO). Our offer contains: a 4-year PhD position with a qualifier in the first year; excellent mentorship in a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities to promote a good work-life balance; and a personal development program within the Twente Graduate School. It also includes:

Gross monthly salary of € 2.770 in the first year, increasing each year up to € 3.539 in the fourth year;

Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;

29 holidays per year in case of full-time employment;

A training program as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision;

Free access to sports facilities on campus;

A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);

A full status as an employee at the UT, including pension, healthcare benefits and good secondary conditions are part of our collective labour agreement CAO-NU for Dutch universities.

Information and application

Does this sound appealing? Please apply before April 22 and include:

A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), explaining your specific interest, qualifications, motivations to apply for this position;

A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and, if applicable, an overview of publications, as well as up to three references;

Applicants with a non-Dutch qualification and who have not had secondary and tertiary education in English can only be admitted with an IELTS-test showing a total band score of at least 6.5, internet. TOEFL test (TOEFL- iBT) showing a score of at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE).

Additional information can be acquired via email to Prof.Dr. Erik Koffijberg ([email protected]).

About the department

At HTSR ( https: // www. utwente.nl/en/bms/htsr/), multidisciplinary expertise is combined to support decisions on health innovation development, evaluation, optimization, and implementation. Research focuses on quantitative analyses supporting strategies to improve the efficiency and sustainability of healthcare systems. The HTSR section is part of the Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS, https: // www. utwente.nl/nl/bms/) and the Technical Medical Center (TechMed, https: // www. utwente.nl/nl/techmed/), a leading innovation hub of the University of Twente.

About the organisation

The Faculty of Behavioral, Management and Social sciences (BMS) aims to play a key role in understanding, jointly developing and evaluating innovations in society. Technological developments are the engine of innovation. As a technical university that puts people first, we tailor them to human needs and behavior and use social engineering to integrate them into society. We also ensure adequate governance at public and private level, and robust, inclusive and fair organizational structures. We do this by developing, sharing and applying high-quality knowledge in Psychology, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communication Sciences, Philosophy, Educational Sciences and Health Sciences. Our research and education in these disciplines revolves around tackling and solving societal challenges. The research programs of BMS are closely linked to the research of the UT institutes Mesa+ Institute for Nanotechnology, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.

As an employer, the Faculty of BMS offers work that matters. We equip you to create new possibilities for yourself and for our society. With us, you will become part of a leading technical university with increasing, positive social impact. We offer an open, inclusive and entrepreneurial atmosphere, in which we encourage you to make healthy choices, for example through our flexible, adaptable benefits.

Want to know more? Koffijberg, H. (Erik)

Full Professor

Koffijberg, H. (Erik)

Full Professor

Do you have questions about this vacancy? Then you can contact Erik for all substantive questions about this position and the application procedure. For general questions about working for the UT, please refer to the chatbot.

Contact

Phone:+31534895384

Email:[email protected]

How to apply Step 1

Apply. When you see a vacancy that appeals to you, you can apply online. We ask you to upload a CV and motivation letter and/or list of publications. You will receive a confirmation of receipt by e-mail.

Step 2

Selection. The selection committee will review your application and you will receive a response within 2 weeks after the vacancy has been closed.

Step 3

1st interview. The 1st (online or in person) meeting serves as an introduction where we introduce ourselves to you and you to us. You may be asked to give a short presentation. This will be further explained in the invitation.

Step 4

2nd interview. In the second interview, we will further discuss the job content, your skills and your talents.

Step 5

The offer. If the conversations are positive, you will be made a suitable offer.

Your Colleagues

Dekkers, T. (Tessa)

Personal page

Stout, J.H. (Jaap)

Personal page

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At the UT it's all about people, in line with our university's High Tech Human Touch philosophy. In everything we do, the well-being and future of our students and staff are paramount. From research and teaching to personnel management, campus management and the use of new technologies.

Our mission We are a university of technology

Our university is a public institution that serves society. We are accountable to society for the ways in which we use our academic freedom. We are responsible for ensuring that the power of science and technology is harnessed to achieve the best possible impact in a changing world. We cherish our rich tradition of combining technical and social sciences in our five profiling themes: Improving healthcare by personalized technologies; Creating intelligent manufacturing systems; Shaping our world with smart materials; Engineering our digital society; and Engineering for a resilient world.

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We want our communities to flourish and show resilience, so we seize opportunities for innovation. We are knowledgeable and have an eye for what society needs. Our students and staff receive all the guidance they need in their quest for ecological, social and economic sustainability. “The University of Twente is all about people. Our sustainable technologies help to strengthen society.”

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