PhD position engaging patients in Atrial Fibrillation research – Athena Institute

Do you believe patient engagement can contribute to health research that better meets patients' needs? And are you interested in actively contributing to research that further encourages patient engagement, including citizen science approaches to healthcare? Then apply for this PhD position in which you will improve patient engagement activities, and evaluate its impact, for Atrial Fibrillation research, as part of the NWA project .

Location: AMSTERDAM
FTE: 1

Job description

Since the 1990s, a call is made for a more active and prominent role for patients in health research in order to realise atransformation to a health system that is more responsive to patients’ needs. As a results, patients are increasingly seen as partners in health research, instead of passive recipients. The inclusion of patients in health decision-making has shown to stimulate more relevant and applicable outcomes, and to enhance its legitimacy. Despite this increased attention, there are still many questions about how to best engage patients and achieve the most valuable outcomes. More research is necessary to further boost the academic field of patient engagement, and simultaneously make societal impact.

This PhD position aims to contribute to this enhanced patient engagement by conducting research within the context of the NWA project . The overall aim of the project CIRCULAR is to stop AF by a holistic approach including co-creation with patients. We plan to realize this through the non-profit . AFIP’s mission is to improve AF treatment by engaging patients in research approaches. The platform is built on the recognition that AF patients have ample ideas on complementary strategies to increase their quality of life. In the past years, AFIP has established a solid foundation, both in (academic) collaborations and research lines based on initial results of patient insights and in the technology and infrastructure to reach patients. In their search how to optimally interpret and translate insights gained into research (and vice versa), they are eager to learn and experiment in this proposed research. The PhD student will study how engagement of patients whitin project CIRCULAR can be further improved. The PhD student will therefore not only study patient engagement, but also actively engage in experiments, such as citizen science, to further improve the practices of patient engagement.

Keywords: patient engagement, atrial fibrillation, co-creation, experiments, transdisciplinary, action-research.

Your duties

The PhD candidate will conduct (transformative) action-research aimed at strengthening the engagement of patients in atrial fibrillation research, as part of the NWA project CIRCULAR. You will study patient engagement through literature study and the active involvement in several (AF) experiments where the researcher will be the designer, facilitator and evaluator of patient engagement practices. This will occur in close collaboration with the CIRCULAR consortium partners and patient representatives. The project entails travels to different healthcare and research sites, but also, occasionally, to (inter)national conferences.

Next to your research, resulting in a PhD thesis, you will be a coaching lecturer in courses taught by the Athena Institute. In a six-year PhD track this is ~40% of your time (please find more information below at ‘what are we offering’). The teaching will merely be in Bachelor and Master courses of our master program Management, Policy-Analysis and Entrepreneurship in the Health and Life Sciences. Your work will be supported with committed supervision and additional research training.

Requirements

We are looking for an enthusiastic, curious and creative candidate with: A master’s degree in the field of science, or a related field with interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary focus (science and technological studies - STS, health sciences, etc.) Willingness and eagerness to conduct action-oriented research that contributes to societal transformation in the field of public and patient engagement; Experience with engagement of societal stakeholders (patients) in health research and innovation processes is a plus; Proven experience within qualitative research methodologies, such as interviews and focus groups; The potential to be a strong collaborator within interdisciplinary teams (able to listen, flexible, adaptive, creative, pro-active); Enthusiasm to teach students in different stages of their study, across a variety of thematic topics (health, food, science and technology studies); Excellent command of both Dutch and English is imperative; A strong track record and good research skills, writing skills and presentation skills; Interest in disseminating findings with the AFIP website and social media channels

What are we offering?

A challenging position in a socially involved organisation. The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts €2,770 (PhD) per month during the first year and increases to €3,539 (PhD) per month during the fourth year, based on a full-time employment. The job profile: is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 1 FTE.

The PhD candidate will be appointed for a 6 year trajectory. In a 6 year trajectory, the division of duties will be 60% research - 40% education. With the 40% education option there is the possibility of obtaining BKO qualification. The initial appointment will be for a period of 18 months with a possible extension conditional upon assessment of adequate functioning.

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as: a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment, 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus, solid pension scheme (ABP), possibility to save holiday hours, for sabbatical leave, child daycare facilities available on campus.

About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 31,000 students. We employ over 5,000 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science
Working at the Faculty of Science means working together with students, PhD candidates and scientists who are focused on their discipline, yet also have a broad view of the world. We are proud of the collegial working environment within the faculty, which is characterised by an ambitious and pragmatic attitude with commitment to the bigger picture. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex social issues for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from genetics to pharmaceuticals and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research cover the full breadth of the natural sciences. Scientific teaching and research is highly experimental, technical, computational and interdisciplinary in nature. This is why we collaborate extensively with leading research institutes and industry. The faculty has over 11,000 students studying across 40 educational programmes and employs over 1,600 staff spread over 10 scientific departments, making us the largest science faculty in the Netherlands.

 

Athena Institute, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences
The position is offered within the Athena Institute, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences. The institute’s mission is to study and design interfaces between science and society to contribute both to a deeper understanding of innovation processes as well as a responsible implementation of research and innovation in society. Athena’s research program amongst other focusses on analysing complex global health challenges, designing interventions and conducting participatory monitoring and evaluation research. The section presently has a position vacant for a Postdoc/Lecturer.
For more information about the Athena Institute visit our

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