Do you want to contribute to equitable and affordable care for all by supporting healthcare decision makers in making decisions about the allocation of the healthcare budget?

PhD position “Short and long-term cost-effectiveness of health interventions”

Faculteit der Bètawetenschappen

  • WO / MSc
  • fte: 1
  • Location: MF Gebouw
  • Salary: min. €2,901 – max. €3,707
  • Close on 1-3-2025

Job description

In a world where healthcare budgets are limited, healthcare decision makers are faced with decisions about how they can spend their available resources as efficiently as possible. Economic evaluations can support such decisions by relating the investments needed for a health intervention with the health gains generated by that intervention.

At our research group, we now have a position available for a 4-year full-time PhD student in the field of economic evaluations. You will be involved in three European projects to conduct the cost-effectiveness analyses that are part of these projects. Two of these projects are on the treatment of Crohn’s disease and one of them on lifestyle improvement of adolescents and young adults in Kenia and Ghana. You are expected to assess the short-term cost-effectiveness of the interventions by performing an economic evaluation alongside the trials conducted in these projects. To extrapolate these short-term findings to a longer term follow-up period you will develop and analyze health-economic models.

This PhD position will be embedded in the research group Health Technology Assessment (HTA) at the Department of Health Sciences. We are involved in applied and methodological HTA studies in a wide variety of clinical areas (for example musculoskeletal health, mental health, and nutrition and lifestyle).

Requirements

  • MSc in Econometrics, Health Economics, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Health Sciences, or a closely related discipline;
  • good knowledge of biostatistics and statistical software such as R and Stata is an advantage;
  • demonstrable interest in and affinity with the field of cost-effectiveness research;
  • good command of written and spoken English;
  • excellent communication skills and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognizing that diversity comes in many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable to the quality of our education, research and services. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community, so that we can use diversity as an added value.

We realize that every individual brings with them a unique set of skills, expertise and way of thinking. We therefore invite everyone who recognizes themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

We offer

A challenging position at a socially committed organization. At the VU, you contribute to education, research and valorization for a better world. And you deserve something in return. That is why we offer you:

- A salary of € 2,901.00 (PhD candidate) and a maximum of € 3,707.00 (PhD candidate) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment contract.

- A contract of employment for an initial period of 4 years. Extended to a total of 4 years if there is sufficient prospects. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year concludes the employment contract. In addition, we offer you attractive secondary employment conditions and arrangements. Some examples:

  • A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a vacation credit of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 additional vacation hours per year. In the case of a part-time position, this is calculated pro rata.
  • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
  • discount on (and occasionally exclusive access to) theatre performances and courses at Griffioen cultural centre
  • good and affordable sports facilities
  • space for personal development

Welcome to the Faculty of Science

At the Faculty of Science of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, scientists and students work on complex social issues for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition and from molecules to the moon: we focus on the full breadth of the sciences. Our education and research are strongly experimental technical, computational and interdisciplinary in nature.

We work on new solutions from a value-driven, interdisciplinary approach. Through research, through valorisation, and by educating socially involved global citizens – who in turn can make a valuable contribution to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you coming to work at the Faculty of Science? Then you will work together with students, PhD candidates and scientists at the largest science faculty in the Netherlands. You combine a subject-oriented focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working environment, which is characterized by a driven and pragmatic attitude with involvement in the bigger picture. The faculty has over 11,000 students studying in one of the 40 programs. Over 1,600 professionals work there, divided over 10 scientific departments.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for value-driven education and research. We are free thinkers with knowledge of the subject and an open attitude – a broader mind. With an entrepreneurial approach and attention to diversity, meaning and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work on a better world for people and the planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and studying environment, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Read more about our codes of conduct.

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of the Amsterdam Zuidas, with an excellent location and accessibility. More than 6,150 employees work at the VU and more than 31,000 students follow scientific education.

Diversity

Diversity is a spearhead of the VU. The VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and philosophies. Based on trust, respect and interest, differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalization contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

We are therefore constantly looking for people who contribute to the diversity of the VU community through their background and experience.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Adres
De Boelelaan 1111, 1081 HV Amsterdam
Website
https://werkenbij.vu.nl
Contactpersoon
Naam: Prof. Dr. Judith E. Bosmans - Hoogleraar Methodologie van Doelmatigheidsonderzoek
Telefoonnummer: j.e.bosmans@vu.nl

Vacancy questions

Any questions prior to applying? Please directly contact Prof. Dr. Judith E. Bosmans - Hoogleraar Methodologie van Doelmatigheidsonderzoek – via j.e.bosmans@vu.nl

Are you interested in this position?

Please apply before March 1, 2025 via the application button and upload:

1) a motivation letter stating your experience and interest in the project and the name of two contacts that may provide recommendations;
2) your curriculum vitae.

The first round of interviews will take place on March 10th, 2025 and the second round on March 21, 2025.

Applications received by email will not be processed.

Acquisition due to this vacancy is not appreciated.

Keywords: Vacancy, Research, Onderzoeker, Econometrics, Health Economics, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Health Sciences, WO, Master, fulltime, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland

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