PhD position on Health Systems Engineering (HSE)

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and curious PhD candidate to join our innovative Health Technology and Services Research (HTSR) section at the Faculty of Behavioural Management and Social Sciences. In this dynamic and inclusive section of around 35 researchers personal and professional development is central and there is plenty of room for social activities. With this position you can contribute to making the healthcare system future-proof, while keeping it accessible and of high quality.

The Challenge

The increasing demand for healthcare services, driven by an aging population and the rapid development of new technologies, is placing pressure on our healthcare system. In order to make healthcare future-proof we have to focus on how technology and organization of healthcare can improve the efficiency of healthcare. But, as the healthcare system is a complex network involving numerous actors, such as healthcare providers, insurers, and patients, each with their own roles and incentives, this is a huge challenge. Therefore, adopting a systems approach is essential to enable efficient and sustainable healthcare.

Job description

We are seeking a PhD candidate who wants focus on Health Systems Engineering (HSE), 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. This PhD position aims to develop methods to evaluate and optimize healthcare strategies by adopting a health systems engineering approach. We will first develop a quantitative method that determines how many working hours of various healthcare staff is required to treat or manage a disease. This will be done using a variety of data, including both patient data and business information data from healthcare organizations as well as national registries of demographics and healthcare expenditures. This method allows us to take into account the required healthcare staff in simulation models that evaluate and optimize the impact of technology on sustainability of the healthcare system, which will be the further focus of the research project. In this research project you will collaborate with various healthcare organizations and you will contribute to the sustainability of our healthcare system.

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

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 (for at least 0.8 FTE) 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:

Does this sound appealing? Please apply before 1 July 2025 and include:

Additional information can be acquired via email to Dr. Anoukh van Giessen ([email protected]).

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.

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.

Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor

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

Phone:+31534892060

Email:[email protected]

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.

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

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.

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

The offer. If the conversations are positive, you will be made a suitable offer. If applicable, we will sign you up for screening.

Personal page

Personal page

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 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.

We help society meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. But we are also transparent about what science and technology can and cannot do in finding sustainable solutions. And help translate these solutions into everyday life.

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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