PhD position: The role of professionals in the transition of (healthcare) organizations

The proposed Ph.D. thesis aims to analyse transitions in public service delivery (foremost digital transformation, (de)centralization, market- driven service provision) by placing professionals at the centre. The PhD researcher will use virtual care as a case for transitions in public service delivery and analyse (1) the implications for healthcare professionals, (2) the governance of virtual care, (3) the produced impact and (4) its evaluation. The thesis will take a broad methodological perspective to address these knowledge gaps. It will investigate virtual care with an interdisciplinary lens combining, among others, public administration and health services research. This is also mirrored in the composition of the supervision team. This Ph.D. researcher will be part of the ‘Technology in Healthcare Transformations' research community at the BMS faculty.

The challenge In this PhD project you will investigate the role of professionals in transforming (healthcare) situations and the governance of virtual care from different perspectives, employing different methods. It is envisioned to start with a scoping review on the development of professionalism in times of organizational transition and societal transformations..

Next, a basic understanding of digital transformation in healthcare and virtual care in particular will be developed. The study will analyse determinants for successful virtual care on the macro (e.g. legislation), meso (e.g. management, leadership), and micro level (e.g. competencies). On a meta level, this will enable a reflection on digital transitions and their organizational implications.

In the following, three empirical studies are planned, in collaboration with partner hospitals in the Netherlands. There is also the potential to take an international perspective. Empirical data will be gathered in a mixed-methods- approach, employing observations, interviews, surveys and potentially experimental designs.

By the end of this project, you will have contributed substantially to our understanding of virtual professionalism and virtual street-level-bureaucracy, you will have advanced research into management of virtual care, and you will have improved healthcare delivery and employee motivation and retention in hospitals and beyond.

Your profile

MSc-degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Business Administration, Health Sciences or a related discipline (also candidates close to graduating are encouraged to apply)

Strong interest in street-level bureaucracy and professionals in a public service delivery setting and an affinity with healthcare and technology

Software skills in a statistics software (e.g. R, stata) and a text coding software (e.g. atlas.ti, Nvivo), or the ability to quickly familiarise with this software

Demonstrably good (scientific) writing skills

English conversation, writing skills, and presentation skills (at least C1). Command of the Dutch language (about B1 or willingness to learn) is a pre if empirical research is done in Dutch hospitals

Communication and social skills related to working in interdisciplinary environments

A good team spirit and like to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment

Our offer

A fulltime 4-year PhD position with a qualifier in the first year

Gross monthly salary of € 2.770,- in the first year to € 3.539,- in the fourth year

Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, and end-of-year bonus of 8,3%, a solid pension scheme and health care benefits

29 holidays per year in case of fulltime employment

Excellent mentorship in a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities

A personal development program within the Twente Graduate School. You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision

A green campus with free access to sports facilities and an international scientific community

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

Information and application

Are you interested to be part of our team? Please submit your application via the ‘Apply now' button below before 1.12.2023 and include:

A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, and motivations to apply for this position, including 2 references (just contacts);

A CV, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and, if applicable, a list of publications and references and relevant work experience.

For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact Dr. Caroline Fischer, [email protected].

About the department

At the department of Technology, Human and Institutional Behaviour (HIB), we are specialists in the science of behaviour change and the interplay between human behaviour and technology. Why do we behave the way we do, and how does our behaviour change? Why is it that some people can successfully adapt their diet or lifestyle, and others seem unable to? What drives behavioural changes among people and groups? How can our governments help us to behave in ways that are healthy, sustainable and inclusive, or that will make our countries, societies and cities a safer place to live? What role can technologies play – from virtual reality or artificial intelligence to human-media interaction and value-based design – in influencing our behaviour for the better? And, conversely, what does our behaviour tell us about how these new technologies should be developed? These are some of the key questions we deal with as researchers, educators and societal problem solvers at the HIB department.

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? Fischer, C. (Caroline)

Assistant Professor Public Administration and Digital Transformation

Fischer, C. (Caroline)

Assistant Professor Public Administration and Digital Transformation

Do you have questions about this vacancy? Then you can contact Caroline 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:+31534894546

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

Lenferink, A. (Anke)

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Torenvlied, R. (René)

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Doggen, C.J.M. (Carine)

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Our mission Human Touch

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.

Our mission We help to strengthen society

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.

Our mission We are sustainable

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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